Picture perfect!

I always love posting pictures of my family on facebook. They're the greatest blessings I get to experience day in and day out here on earth. However its funny I was thinking to myself last night at Emmanuel's school trying to get them to pose for a picture how long it takes me to get one where everyone's eyes are open, looking at me and posing nicely. Yet somehow I always manage to find a picture that looks perfect to post. A little lightening here, add a filter, a border and voila! Picture perfect.

The picture above was taken last night during Emmanuels school family night . I had to catch Emeli while she was sitting freezing since she refuses to take pictures lately. And the picture of my husband and son was taken right after a little back talk and attitude from Emmanuel after we splurged a little on books he wanted from the book fair.

As we left and we got in the car I saw my picture and I loved what it captured. A nice night out being involved, close, and loving one another. What it did not capture however was the attitudes, the arguments, the frustration that we face sometimes. A picture in this day and age can be perfect. Taken from your smart phone. Photoshopped and edited before posting. Yet what I was reminded of was that we are not perfect. And that's one thing I think is important  to remember not only as adults, but to be taught to our teens and kids growing up using social media.

I love my family but we are no where near perfect. My kids dont always listen to us right away, they don't always get along, I don't always show patience and love right away. My husband and I have disagreements, we talk loudly, we go back and forth. I don't cook everyday, and I hate doing laundry. My house may be a mess at times, I may let them watch more tv than I want to some days and I'd be embarrassed if you saw us handling tantrums anything less than patient and understanding. I am not a size 4, I don't work out everyday, I don't like to go without makeup, I wish I had more money, I wish I had gone to college, and I wish I had a bigger house at times or didnt have to work.

Whenever I post a picture I am aware I am giving you my social media friends a pretty picture of the things I am thankful to have. Kids who are learning and in training to be obedient well mannered loving children. A husband who understands me and has a mind of his own and comes from his own ways and habits. I am also learning how to be a mother, a wife and most importantly a daughter of the most high God.

I am reminded picture after picture how much I can find wrong and yet I'm reminded of God's love for us regardless of our imperfections. In today's society where perfection is the standard, I want to remind you that no one is perfect. You weren't build for perfection. We don't cut it. The standard we should be living to according to God couldn't be met. The only one who managed to live a perfect life was Jesus. My lord and Savior. He died at the cross to pay the penalty for our sin and imperfections. To be the sacrifice and the one who redeems us. Without Jesus, all I am is filthy. But I know that the cross brought salvation, freedom and redemption. Today I can stand before God and knows when He sees me He sees me through Jesus perfection not my own. And that to me has to be the most perfect love of all!

I encourage you today to be reminded God sees and cares more than just the pictures that we post or the impression we give off to others. He sees your heart...all the imperfections, all your needs, your flaws, the things we hide, we edit, and would embarrassed about , yet He sent His son to be the perfection He sees in you when you accept Him. When you accept that you cannot be perfect on your own... That only through His grace, forgiveness and your repentance are you seen as "perfect" in God's eyes.

I encourage you to stop trying to live picture perfect. I am not, I'll never be but I know daily God sees me through the perfect sacrifice of Love and through my life here on earth I am being perfected. All the perfection I need or can boast in is found at the cross, not on my facebook posts.

With Love, Meli