the imperfectionist’s prayer

A // W // F

oh, Lord, leave me…

… undone.

heal me,
but don’t –
(forgive me
for saying it)
– fix everything.

keep me
a little messy,
a little broken,
disordered and
a touch disorderly…

do this so that someone might stand in just the right place, at just the right time, in just the right state of mind, and see — oh, God — as the sun slams through the wreckage, lights up its edges, stripes it in shadow, and makes it — for a brief moment —

beautiful:

daylight1

oh, Lord, leave me like that. ❤

33 Comments

  6. This is so beautiful and touching. I think that God leaves us a little undone on purpose – to remind us of our need for others and our need for him, and to keep us humble, to keep us searching. St. Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “…when I am weak, then I am strong.” When I get stuck in my perfectionism, I feel isolated, drained, angry, and exhausted. Your little prayer is just the antidote! It’s so much nicer embracing the imperfections of life and finding the beauty there. Your photographs capture it magnificently. Bravo!

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    1. I’ve always loved that particular scripture, Lulu! It’s so true: nobody really likes the person who has to keep it all together all the time, who is intolerant of mistakes in others or themselves, or who is too inflexible to enjoy the occasional unplanned swing from the journey. I’m learning that imperfection helps me love others better (& myself better!), in a way that is healthy & good.

      Love seeing your “face” here. Happy Friday to you. How’s your new year so far??

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      1. Happy Friday to you! It is so good to “see” you, too, and to be “seen.” Being perfectionistic doesn’t allow me to really be seen (and keeps me from seeing others), but it is so much better to let others in! So far, 2016 is… the same and not? Trying to seek the beauty in January’s starkness. I love that your photographs and writing help me to find it! ❤️ Have an enchanting weekend!

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        1. I know what you mean about January … Winter makes me feel SO color starved. But I’ve learned that it’s actually easier for me to take good photographs at this time of year… The spare lines make it simpler for me to see compositions, and the stark contrasts can be beautifully striking. So: a silver lining. 🙂

          Do you photograph? Even with your phone? It’s really aided me in getting through the winter doldrums.

          (And a hot-pink orchid on my windowsill always cheers me up, too!)

          Hugs! ❤

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          1. The most heavenly scented hyacinth is sitting on my countertop as I type. Even though I like to treat myself to fresh flowers all year ’round, there is definitely something about flowers in the winter that is extra special. I actually do love the muted colors of January and February. Though I’m not a photographer, I like to draw, and I think that perhaps like you, I also appreciate those spare lines. Actually, my favorite place to contemplate the gray tones and bare branches is while I’m idling at the last stoplight before I turn into the parking lot during my morning commute. Weird, I know, but it’s a long light at an intersection that isn’t really very busy, and something about it reminds me of a winter trip I once took to Germany.

            Maybe I will try to capture a photograph… 🙂

            Hugs back! ❤️

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            1. This whole comment made me happy… The hyacinth… The beautiful way you described winter’s muted color palette… The bare branches at the stoplight. Just perfect. 🙂

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  9. Oh, my gosh, yes! There’s a saying that went around the internet awhile ago about how we’re all broken pieces of pottery and the light shines through the cracks. Your poem reminds me of that and I love it! If God made us perfect, then others wouldn’t be able to relate to us as well. It’s wonderful to have an open, heartfelt conversation with someone and have moments where you both say, “Oh, yes, me too!” It’s just a beautiful brokenness that we have. Thank you for your words!

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