While he enjoys the game and being on a team of buddies, so much of his thinking naturally gravitates towards “not being good enough” or “not perfect” at something. I’m learning he tends to be a bit of a perfectionist, so he’ll say things like, “I just don’t think I’ll get better,” “I’m not as good as so-and-so,” or “I just can’t do it. I want to give up.”

I find myself constantly whispering in his ear that I love him, I’m proud of him, and nothing he can or can’t do will change that. What’s most important is to show up, do his best, and have fun.

How often do I find myself thinking the same things as my son?

I tell myself I’m not good enough at something. I compare myself to others. I hear the lies of the enemy telling me, “what you’re doing isn’t important” or “you don’t matter.”

And yet, much like with my son, the God of the universe is whispering in my ear: “You are enough. You matter. I love you and nothing will change that.”

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I recently read an excerpt from the book, “The Making of an Ordinary Saint,” by Nathan Foster. It was called “Understanding Prayer,” written by Nathan’s father, Richard, and shared some profound thoughts on prayer that have caused me to think deeply about my own prayer life.

In one part of the excerpt, Richard Foster wrote, “Just like a little child can never draw a bad picture, so a child of God can never utter a bad prayer. God, you see, accepts us just the way we are, and he accepts our prayers just the way we are.”

Turning to God in prayer doesn’t have to look and sound perfect. He hears our heart before we even utter a word. He knows the deepest desires and longings of our soul before we do. However, turning to Him, even with our fragmented thoughts and prayers, is a beautiful expression of communion with God. It’s a way to draw closer to Him and allow Him to transform our hearts and character more like Him.God doesn’t desire for us to live a perfect life. He doesn’t retract His love when we mess up or slide backwards. He doesn’t ask us to work harder or strive for perfection. He loves us just as we are. He created us in His image and we can take our striving, our insecurities, our fears, our tendencies to desire perfection and lay them at His feet.

He loves us as we are.

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It took my son starting this newest season of baseball to remind me of God’s great love for me. Much like the time he spends practicing and perfecting on the field, I know that the time I spend with God will ultimately refine and transform me. When I tell him to keep his head up and do his best, I will let it resonate in my soul to also keep my eyes up and focused on Jesus.They say in baseball, “keep your eye on the ball.”

However, for me, I will keep my eye on the prize:

“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 MSG.

 

By: Stacey Mensik

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