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Slightly Irregular

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13

Most department stores have a section with merchandise labeled, ‘as is’, ‘seconds’ or ‘slightly irregular.’ There’s a stain that won’t come out, a missing handle, a wobbly leg. Now, they don’t tell you where the flaw is, you have to look for it. And once you buy it there’s no return, no refund and no exchange. Stop and look around you! You’re living in this department. Think about those you know and love. Aren’t they ‘slightly irregular’ A flaw here, a streak of deception there, a hot temper, a passive/aggressive attitude? If you’ve been looking for perfection, you’ve walked down the wrong aisle! The only way to have a relationship with anybody is to love and accept them ‘as is'. Don’t buy into the myth that most folks are normal (whatever that means) except the people in your life. Based on that misconception relationships become an endless quest to fix others, control them, or pretend they are what they’re not. Thomas Merton says, "Love is letting those we love be perfectly themselves, and not twisting them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we see in them." One hallmark of maturity is acknowledging that nobody’s perfect, and loving them despite their shortcomings. Paul says "make allowance for each other’s faults" so that when you discover them, and you will, you’re not disillusioned. But there’s another lesson here. It means acknowledging something you probably don’t like to admit. "And what’s that" you ask. That you belong in the ‘slightly irregular’ department too!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know I am irregular; the question is am I only "slightly". Thank you for your love for me anyway. Now help me accept others that way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen