Hi everyone,

So school is finally (and officially) out for our kids! High school was out a bit over a week ago, but elementary still had another 4ish days (I guess high school did too, but those extra days weren’t needed). I love this time of year as the weather is usually nicer, the time is more relaxed (both at home and at work), and I don’t feel as constrained by time limits and curfews and school bells and stuff.

But also, this morning as I was getting ready to come to church, I find on the kitchen table 3 report cards (we have 3 kids, so that tracks… I’m just glad no one made one up for me). I didn’t have much time to examine them all, but I did have a quick looksee, and as expected, all 3 of them placed differently on the academic ladder.

While the dad in me wants them to excel in everything, I know that just isn’t possible. While one kid is great in school, knowing how to fulfill the requirements for an excellent grade, another one might not be as much. But that one could be great at something else that isn’t exactly school-related.

As one of them reminded me of yesterday, “no one can be perfect, everyone has a flaw. If someone says they’re perfect, their flaw is that they’re a liar.”

Can’t argue with that wisdom. And truth be told, I’ll love them the same, as they’re my kids. Teachers might not, sports coaches might not, random passerby-ers probably won’t at all, but as one of their parents, I totally will. Whether they do well in school or not, whether they’re good at sports or not, whether they are considerate to other people also walking on the same sidewalk as them or not, I will love them.

Even when they aren’t perfect.

These are the readings for next week:
Zechariah 9:9-12
Psalm 145:8-14
Romans 7:15-25a
Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30
and a video of them being read:

So, Jesus sounds kind of harsh at the beginning of this gospel lesson. He’s calling out the people disobedience, their non-understanding, their sheer inability to be who they are called to be. And admittedly, that kind of hurts, because it hits close to home.

For sure, we in our modern times aren’t perfect either. We in our churches in all the work we do, aren’t perfect. We who are paid to be examples of faith, speech, and love (i.e. me) aren’t perfect (regrettably).

But yet… we are loved. We are invited to find rest in Jesus. We are welcomed to be part of God’s kingdom, community, and family with all the saints of all times and places.

This doesn’t mean we don’t try or work hard or care about ourselves or others, but it does mean that God’s love for us isn’t fuelled by our accomplishments, but by the grace that we are all brought into. God’s acceptance of us isn’t dependant on how good we can do what we do, but by God’s own will. God’s welcome for us all isn’t dependant on how perfect we are, but by God’s character of mercy that strengthens and empowers us to be… flaws and all.

Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!