{Beauty} Princesses, Problems, and Perfection

Written By: Melissa Longval

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  Philippians 4:8

I blame Disney.  I blame Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.  Princess perfection.  Lovely voices, animal taming personalities, and tiny feet.  This clod hopper didn’t measure up.  As a size 10, jokes about throwing away shoes and just wearing the boxes were common!  Yeah, yeah, I get it…I don’t even need to wear skis…cause my feet are so big!

Along with big feet came other large things that I wished were smaller, hair that I wish were curlier and bigger (it was the 80’s after all), skin that was clearer.  The list was endless.  The quest to be beautifully perfect haunted me for a long time.  I know I wasn’t alone.

The desire to be perfect doesn’t stop after high school.  In fact, once I became a mother, I had a whole new idea of perfection.  Being the perfect mom with the perfect child.  Breast feeding, cloth diapers, homemade baby food…again the list is long.

We don’t have to look far to see this idea of perfection invades our culture and most cultures around the world.  As a Christian, I know perfection is not attainable here.  And yet, the wrestling continues.

My thoughts are that the idea of perfection, flawlessness, comes from the Lord.  He is perfect.  His laws, statutes, and ways are perfect.  Everything about Him is perfect, yet we have perverted this perfection to fulfill desires of the flesh.

“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:48

But, perfection is only attainable through the righteousness of Christ.  My imperfections, my weak and broken places are where Christ’s strength is found.

“For where I am weak, then I am strong.”  2 Corinthians 12: 10

Chasing after perfection, as a goal in and of itself, is like chasing the wind.  I will never catch it.  When I am willing to let go of the idea of perfection, I can hold on to the beautiful plan God has for me.  And, I don’t have to rush around for Him, because He is always with me.  What a Savior!

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.  Philippians 3:12

Christ has given me His perfection…His righteousness…His holiness.  Best of all, I do not have to horde it and keep it to myself, but the more I give it away, the more I receive.  The more I allow people to see the imperfections, the wrinkles, and age spots, the more freedom I have to love others the way Christ loves me…with abandon!

And as we walk this journey on this small planet, knowing where we are headed, following our perfect Lord and Savior, may we all live happily ever after…

Until Next Time,
Melissa