“Perfect” is an adjective with a wide variety of usages. For example, it can mean,
– conforming absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type,
– excellent or complete beyond practical or theoretical improvement,
– exactly fitting the need in a certain situation or for a certain purpose,
– entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings,
– accurate, exact, or correct in every detail.
There’s an old joke about two children, one incorrigibly pessimistic and the other incorrigibly optimistic. One Christmas their loving parents tried hard to break them of their habits.
The parents filled one room with a magnificent Christmas tree, beautifully decorated, surrounded by a huge quantity of gifts. They invited the pessimist to open the door. He did and then burst into tears. “Look at the angel figure atop the tree,” he cried, “it’s crooked!”
They prepared another room for the optimistic brother. He opened the door, saw nothing but straw and manure all over the floor, and clapped his hands with delight, saying, “Where’s the pony?”
No human construction, situation, assessment, or communication is 100%, absolutely perfect and beyond improvement. (Remember, we’re not the Creator, only his creations.)
No matter what we attempt and try to do and achieve, there will always be pessimists who will call attention to our flaws, limitations, or incompleteness. And, conversely, there will always be optimists celebrating our assistance, successes, and achievements.
God made us, limited creatures that we are, and loves us in our struggle to celebrate and use the gifts he gives us and to overcome our imperfections and failures.
There are no perfect people—not even among canonized saints! We all have limitations, flaws, and failings. We all make misjudgments and mistakes and “sin”.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that we are profoundly flawed—only less than perfect.
If our lives are to be thoroughly examined, measured, and adjudged, there will be, in retrospect, imperfections and regrettable moments—words, deeds, or actions.
Since we’re limited, a critic can always find grounds for criticism. Generous school teachers to the contrary, we actually never really merit 100%—but, even so, there are huge differences, for instance, among grades of 95% (very, very good), 75% (not too bad), or 50% (seriously needing attention and improvement).
This doesn’t mean that we should stop striving for perfection, only that we should do so realizing that it is absolutely totally unattainable.
It also means, though, that we should stop wallowing in our inevitable failures or bewailing our imperfections. It’s okay to dream the impossible dream, but only if we don’t forget that it’s the impossible dream! (No 100%!)
It’s also okay—and appropriate—to be realistic about our successes and failures, for we necessarily have both.
If you’re inclined to be overly pessimistic about your life, remember that total perfection is impossible for you—but, also, with the help of God you can do, and probably have done, many good and wonderful things for many others.
If you’re inclined to be overly optimistic, remember that only by God’s grace have you achieved all that you have achieved!
26 February 2023