The Perfect Note

For by one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.  Hebrews 10:14

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It started out as an innocent flirtation between my husband and I, but ended up so much more. At some point in our marriage, my mom had made the comment that I never did anything wrong growing up, and from time to time my husband and I have bantered back and forth on the merits of this statement. I acted like I thought it was possible I was the perfect little angel, but let’s face it, you don’t even have to know me to know that isn’t true. Nobody is perfect. One day she heard our light-hearted teasing and actually wrote it down on a little note pad:

“Robin Kelley was a perfect child. She never did anything wrong.”

I’m not going to lie. Two things happened when she handed me that little piece of paper. First, I felt an overwhelming sense of acceptance and unconditional love. My mom knows I wasn’t perfect, but she loves me so much she doesn’t see my imperfections when she looks at me. She sees all the things that bring her joy – all the things that make her proud – all the things that she loves. Second, I had an overwhelming desire to live up to her image of who I am so I could make her happy. I took the paper, taped it to my vanity and told myself it was there to tease my husband, but in reality I think it was as much to bolster my own pride.

I’m not sure how the topic came up, but one day my adult children began discussing which one of them should receive “the perfect child” note. I had never even considered “choosing” one, but one thing led to another until I found myself actually picking up a pen, writing a note and handing it to one of my daughters. I think we all have moments in our lives we wish we could go back and do over. That moment is one of mine, but I didn’t realize it until a few years later when I walked in on yet another conversation about “the perfect child” note. It was then that I realized something that cut me to the very core of my soul: what I had meant to be part of a lighthearted conversation had inadvertently made an insinuation that I never meant and that was absolutely not true. By giving “the perfect note” to one of my children, I had insinuated that the other three had NOT been perfect and were somehow inferior in my eyes. I was horrified. Nothing was further from the truth.

That in and of itself proves I am not perfect. My kids are some of the most amazing adults I know, but none of them are perfect, either – though they all four come pretty close. (Hey, I’m their mother.) They were all born with a sinful nature into a fallen world – just like I was. Just like their father was. Just like all of us are. But they ARE each the perfect masterpiece that God made them to be, and that had been the message my mom had been sending me. No matter what anyone else had to say about me, God had made me in His image. Nothing could change how much my mother loved me. I am in my 60’s, and she is still one of my biggest cheerleaders. Nothing can ever change how much I love my children. Each one is unique and wonderful in their own way. I love them each for the individual blessing they are and marvel at the strong man and women of God they have grown to be. My words and actions, however, regarding a silly piece of paper had not sent that message.

I don’t have that note on my mirror anymore. I still cherish my mom’s unconditional love and would gladly write a “perfect note” to all my kids; however, all of us have something much more valuable.   God has written an entire book detailing how we are all worthy of being His child. He created us each unique. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our thoughts and intentions. He sees our heart. Yet, regardless of all the ways we “mess up,” He chose to send His Son to pay the penalty for each of them.  He loves us unconditionally.  He sees all the ways we bring Him joy – all the ways we make Him proud – all the ways we bring Him glory and honor. He sees us as His masterpiece.  He makes us  worthy of being His child.  Because of Him, each of us can do something nobody else will ever be able to do – be what He created us to be.  Through His grace and mercy, we can be the perfect us, living our lives to bring Him glory and honor, and daily becoming more and more like Him.  

Now, instead of reading my Mom’s note every day, I read God’s Word and strive more and more to make Him proud – to emulate Him – to bring Him glory – to give Him the honor and praise He deserves. I am still not perfect, but despite all my flaws, I am the perfect me – A Redeemed Child of God.