“Present over perfect living is real over image, connecting over comparing, meaning over mania, depth over artifice. Present over perfect living is the risky and revolutionary belief that the world God has created is beautiful and valuable on its own terms, and that it doesn’t need to be zhuzzed up and fancy in order to be wonderful.” ~ Shauna Niequist
My friend and her family joined us for dinner last night. “Let’s keep it simple,” she said, and we did. We feasted on pulled chicken sliders and store bought pasta salad. The kids ate boxed Mac’n’cheese and frozen sausages and played until exhaustion hit while we talked for the first time in forever.
There were no airs and graces. No frills. No formality. Just two families choosing to do life together in the midst of the mess, the chaos and the noise. Choosing presence over perfection.
We all crave connection, don’t we? But we’re tired, busy people with young kids, and hosting other people can often feel like an overwhelming, impossible task. Our homes are never clean enough; our food not Pinterest-worthy; our children‘s behavior not up to scratch.
So we say no. We choose not to extend the invitation. And in doing so, we miss out on something beautiful.
There is freedom in simplicity. In letting go of those impossible standards, choosing instead to be authentic, vulnerable, and real. Acknowledging that our lives are far from perfect but choosing to open our hearts and our home anyway.
Because It’s worth it.
Because that’s what Jesus would do.
When Martha was busy bustling around a kitchen, too distracted and stressed to sit at the feet of her Lord, He gave her some sage advice: “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it” (Luke 10:41-42 MSG).
“Stop striving,” He is saying. “Choose relationship. Choose meaningful connection. Choose me. These are the things that truly matter.”
So let’s leave our perfectionism at the door today, friends, and embrace the authenticity of a life lived for relationship. You may never look back. ❤️