Flaws of Opportunity

A children's drawing of Jodie Bivens by Eli when he was young

Yes, I’m from Kentucky, but I have more than one tooth in my head. Lol! This is the first thought that came to my mind when I saw a drawing that my nine-year-old drew of me at school. I asked myself, “Is this how he sees me?” Now, if you have a nine-year-old boy you know that sitting and drawing pictures of their mom isn’t at the top of their priority list. He’ll give me hugs and kisses, but then he’s off to do his own thing. 

In person, Eli may not actually see me like this. I think he simply did the minimal amount of drawing needed in a rush to get the assignment finished. It makes me wonder though, how often do we see ourselves like this? Only seeing the incomplete work. We either cover up our flaws, making sure no one ever knows about them, or we do the complete opposite, and draw attention to them. Either way, it’s an attempt to make sure everyone knows what we already know—we have flaws!  But that’s really nothing new…because we ALL have flaws. Some flaws are here to stay, and some come and go. Some we cause. For example, let’s say you ironed your shirt while it was on your body. It’s very possible you may burn yourself causing a lifelong scar. Even though a flaw like that can be covered up by a wardrobe, other flaws are clearly visible, like a cold sore on your lip that is super annoying and feels like it will never go away. These are merely examples that I may, or may not, have experience with. 

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about how he pleaded with the Lord 3 times to take away his flaw (the thorn in his flesh). God’s response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”  Grace, then, is God favoring us with his presence, love, help, and power. Our flaws are opportunities for us to depend on God’s grace to accomplish his purposes. Maybe they’re a humble reminder that this life isn’t all about us. It’s about bringing glory to the creator, not the creation. I think Paul had figured this out when he said, “That is why, for Christs sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He knew this life on earth, while progressive, is not complete until we are face-to-face with Jesus. 

Unlike 9-year-old boys, God doesn’t rush to get the assignment finished when working on His masterpieces. Every time we are face-to-face with ourselves in a mirror our eyes will be drawn to our flaws, but when we look to Him we are radiant, and our faces shall never be ashamed (Psalm 34:5).  

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