Perfection is my Enemy

For this week's blog, I didn't have to think long to settle on a song that really speaks to me.  Free to Be Me by Francesca Battistelli is a wonderful song that I wish my daughter could live.   
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender Beautiful, Beautiful

Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me"

"Sometimes I believe that I can do anything

Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek" 
I want her to know that she already has everything she'll ever need to be herself, even being only 7 years old. She is wonderfully and fearfully made. I want her to understand what the media is doing to our children, our little girls in particular. But she's only 7. I never want for her to desire the unrealistic images that she is bombarded with on a daily basis. Airbrushed, Photoshopped, nipped, tucked, botchilized, binged, purged and starved. This does not promote contentedness. This is not happiness. I abhor the way our children are desensitized by violence and mysogeny. I detest the sexualiziation of our young girls through revealing clothing. I cannot tolerate this sense of entitlement that surrounds our youth today. I think PG-13 is really R. I am passionate about these subjects. More of that a different day. I don't want to work myself into a lather. :)

Now that I am older and comfortable in my skin, I own the fact that my body looks as it does because the choices I have made. I do not intend to tell God he's made a mistake by undergoing plastic surgery. I look the way I do because it's the way I'm supposed to look. I want to place in her head all the things I already know. I completely understand that I won't be able to do that. I will have to settle for being a model for her. Perhaps settle isn't the right word. I hope surrounding myself with other strong, smart (read not fake or shallow) women I will encourage her to be one also. I've said before we all make our own choices. The choices we make dictate the life we lead. (I think that line was in a Danny Devito movie.) I am where I am because of my choices. I wouldn't change the way I got here. I wouldn't change where I am. Enough about that.
Another song that I love is Beautiful, Beautiful  also by Francesca Battistelli. I think this girl is phenominal for only being twenty-ish. This song reminds me that God's grace is sufficient for me. "Mercy reaching to save me All that I need." Even though some days are rough, I can get through them. Everyday is another chance to have a fabulous day. It could be worse...I often use that test. If my day is really crap, I try to think of at least 3 ways it could be worse. Then it's not so hard to be thankful for the things I have. Being barfed on and cryed at all day isn't so bad when one considers some people will never get to (or want to) hold a baby. The best music is a baby's coo.  Wow, I'm kind of all over the place in my head tonight.


Don’t know how it is You looked at me

And saw the person that I could be
Awakening my heart
Breaking through the dark
Suddenly Your grace
Like sunlight burning at midnight
Making my life something so Beautiful, beautiful
Mercy reaching to save me
All that I need
You are so Beautiful, beautiful

Now there’s a joy inside I can’t contain
But even perfect days can end in rain
And though it’s pouring down
I see You through the clouds
Shining on my face
I have come undone
But I have just begun
Changing by Your grace
Lyrics by Francesca Battistelli, Ian Eskelin, and Andrew Fromm

Free to Be MeAt twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see
(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me
When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt
(Chorus)
And you’re free to be you
Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though
Lyrics by Francesca Battistelli