1322) I am a perfectionist. As Adrian Monk always said, “It’s a blessing and a curse.” I want things that hang on the wall to be straight. I want the dishwasher to be filled so the maximum amount of dishes can be placed within. I want for my desk to be uncluttered. But, I’m a failure. I cannot possibly do everything perfectly all the time. Because I am constantly trying, I am often tired.

There are many reasons I strive for perfection and one is because I know what I believe about God and his word, but my actions often betray this. I understand exactly what Paul said in Romans 7:15: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but I (often) do what I hate.

Paul tells us in Titus 1:16 that when we do not show our faith in our actions, we deny God. This is hard news to hear because I am a failure. If I slowdown in my thinking and my words, I can eliminate some contradictions of my faith but I am far from the perfection I seek.

Maybe it’s time for me to look at this verse another way. Yes, God has a standard for me but, when I don’t live up to it, and deny my faith, God loves to give me grace.

Despite everything I do, say and react to that contradicts my faith, I need to reach out and accept God’s grace. It’s not about my being perfect; it’s about God’s perfect love.