I heard the crash and pieces skittering across the floor. I came unglued. Our son’s little hands and my favorite snack bowls shared a propellant chemistry. Dish duty produced frequent launches and the tile floors were merciless. We were down to half the supply packed in from the states, half of the comfort routine I had banked on.
I yelled. A lot. I was wrong.
It was my illusion of control that was breaking. Control over my surroundings and control over myself. A missionary momma fresh on the ground, there was so much I didn’t know how to do. It scared me. My fear of failure actually fueled my worst failures. Pieces of my son’s heart went in the trash with the shards of bright plastic.
Time always brought me back to, “I love you. Please forgive me.” He always did.
Cross-cultural living is a great place to learn humility. Over and over I got it wrong, and in my repentance little arms would encircle me again. Forgiveness is a gift beyond price.
At some point I realized the truth: they were all going to break. I had to find a new source. Not just for bowls, but also for peace.
I couldn’t base my sense of security on my family’s perfection. We were often good, but none of us were ever perfect. I couldn’t support it with my ability to do life, because I had to learn everything from scratch in this new place. I couldn’t put it on my stuff: things + time = wreckage.
We came to this country to live out God’s love; the one he rescued first was me. I began to see myself without the filters of know-how. Who I was when I expected perfection was the exact opposite of who I wanted to be. I admitted it. I took the full weight of my significance off of myself, my husband, and my kids, and put it–imperfectly–into the Father’s hands.
Five years later, I’m still learning to live this out, but we share a new dance, my son and I: who can quip the best joke. High compliments are paid for well-timed song lyrics or movie lines. Insects fascinate him, so we call out to each other when interesting characters show up. He teaches me all about their details. Together we admire the special features God gave them, and I encourage the ones God gave him.
There is always new ground to surrender.
The other day my daughter helped out and spearheaded the week’s laundry. In the process, bleach dripped on our colored sheets. I caught my breath at the sad splotches. Disappointed, yes, but not distraught. In place of explosions, I spoke a wise friend’s motto: people are more important than things.
I have a new source.
My guess is, if you breathe, then sometimes you blow it. Here are 5 steps that help me to begin making it right.
Admit fault. To cash a check, we have to fill in the amount. Being specific about what we did wrong starts the bill pay process to forgive a debt. I’m sorry. I used harsh words and was unloving to you.
Explain what we will do differently going forward. Model making better choices and the value we place on the person. Next time I will speak calmly and help you clean up.
Ask forgiveness. Honor others by giving them the choice and time to consider it. Will you forgive me?
Hug it out. Love expressed through healthy touch can restore heart closeness. Ask to hold hands, give a soft pat to the arm, or embrace to knit back together. When I scuffle with my husband, the litmus test for breakthrough is being able to hold each other again. There’s no rush or pressure here, just a goal to pursue healing until the relationship is restored.
Give positive encouragement. Set up for success by validating the good effort of others. What is rewarded will be repeated. This has been a game changer for our family. Thank you for drying all those dishes. I really appreciate your help. You are a great part of this team.
I would love to share a prayer for infinite patience, but that would just be another form of the perfectionism I have to renounce daily.
This is a constant process in me. Simply getting my crew out the door can still trigger impatience. After barking us into the car the other day, I apologized, discouraged at how often I mess up. Then inspiration hit. Dave-Letterman-style, I announced 10 great things my child did that week. Each one lit his face a little more, until we were both back to bouncy.
When mishaps make breakage, forgiveness frees us from having to be perfect. When you accidentally blow holes in the landscape, use them to plant something beautiful.
Do you struggle with expectations for yourself or others? What sets you free?
Broken Dish Photo by chuttersnap, Heart Dishes Photo by Jessica Ruscello on Unsplash
The Good News Family 
That is beautifully written and a good reminder as I struggle with expecting perfectionism from myself and kids on a daily basis. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for your encouragement, Hannah. Sending love to you and your beautiful crew as we grow in grace together.
Thank you Kris!
Thank you for reading and growing with me, Matt. We love being able to do life together from afar.
Thank you Kris for the honesty in this blog! I so get it and wish I didn’t. Like you, God has been showing me my identity is not in having everything perfect. How many times I have gotten irritated with my kids because they were just being kids and trying their hardest. It’s so good to know other moms struggle with that too. I wish I could be laid back and say it’s ok, and it is getting better, way better but I feel like I still have a long way to go. Thank you again for sharing your heart and helping other moms know they’re not alone. 🙂
And thank you for sharing yours, Joanne. It’s a blessing to be in such good company on the road to grace. Love to you and your family.
I learned this the hard way – sad it took so many years but so happy that my wife and kids saw it as a flaw not a defining trait
Me as well, David. Thankful for the grace that we give each other each day. It makes life beautiful.
That was perfect because that was/is sooooo me! I was that persom too. What relief and peace when we can accept that we are all flawed. Life is to be lived, and it’s easier now. Although, I’ve also done somethings to remove the pressure, like replace carpet with hardwood, but as I remember even that requires me to let go. Actually, knowing perfection is only found in Christ, and that he is my Righteousness has allowed me to be more forgiving.
Thanks for the reminder.
Those are great insights, Barbara. Thank you. Seems like grace and surrender are a moment by moment journey. May we all choose the release valves the Lord sends our way.
Kris, you take my breath away with your perception and growth there in Costa Rica. Your lessons are well said– and taken!
Thank you for your beautiful example, support, and encouragement, Marcia. I so appreciate you and all your word works. Blessings to you. May we both keep moving forward on the journey.
You should have left spaces in this blog for me to put my name in the blank. I love the way you capture your humanity and package it for delivery so that I share your journey by agreeing that there, but for the grace of God, go I. Blessings,
I so appreciate your encouragement. It’s pretty scary to put all that out for everyone to see. You all and the Lord together giving me grace and coming alongside with transparency is a real gift. Blessings, friend.
Actually, there I have been, and in many ways, am there still. Even though the kids have graduated out of my home!!!
Thank you for sharing your heart and your imperfections, Helen. It makes you even more wonderful.
Kris, I love your honesty here and I’ve been there, too. It’s still a daily struggle to let go of perfectionism! So glad I ran across your blog post today!
Thank you for being honest alongside me, Leslie. So glad you stopped by, too.
Kris, beautifully written. I love the honesty and vulnerability with which you write. You speak for every missionary wife and mom out there. Your words blessed me my friend.
It blesses me that you took the time to tell me so, Adriana. Sending hugs to you today and the heart you have to love your in-house family and your ministry family so well. May the Lord keep moving for restoration through your work and prayers.
I love this!! – “When you accidentally blow holes in the landscape, use them to plant something beautiful.”
And this: ‘My fear of failure actually fueled my worst failures.” So true.
You’re right, the weight of our self-importance is to heavy to bear. Surrendering it to God is so freeing!! ❤
oops! too heavy, not to heavy. It’s a good thing we know we’re not perfect! lol
Too right!
Thank you for your kind validation. It’s a daily process, and I’m glad to be in good company.
You’re welcome! 😊
Beautifully written!! Such honest words of confession and pardon…..truly a reflection of the Father’s forgiveness. I too am learning this lesson. Says the woman who use to wake her husband up to wash the two dishes left in the sink. That was years ago. Thank God for changing my heart and my perspective.
Such a great post..thank you.
That’s sounds right up my previous alley, Lureta. Thankful to be forgiven and share grace forward alongside you. I so appreciate your encouragement and transparency.
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Hope it encouraged you, and praying big and small miracles in your life, too.
Thanks for sharing and your encouragement. I know that I am often a perfectionist. A lot of it comes from unconsciously striving to measure up because that standard has already been placed on me by others. Then I can also come to expect it from others too. It becomes a vicious circle.
Such a wise perspective, Robert. Wouldn’t it be great if we could be perfect at being imperfect? 🙂 Alas, it’s a daily choice for me.
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