02. Free To Be Imperfect
What would you do if you knew you could make mistakes, be imperfect, and still be loved? On today's podcast, you'll be encouraged to embrace your right to be "free to be" less than perfect and confident in that imperfection. The truth is, you will always be more than enough.
Episode Transcript
0:04
Hi, welcome to Freetobe Podcast number two, Free To Be Imperfect. This is Donna Wyland. And I'm so glad you're here.
Last Monday I said no to watching my sweet grandson, not because I wasn't available, but because my body and energy level were telling me I just couldn't. His school has been closed for three days the prior week due to ice and an abundance of snowfall.
So I had rearranged appointments and sacrificed my personal and work time to watch him for a half day on two of those days. In addition, I offered to spend a little time with him on the weekend to give my daughter a much-needed break.
0:46
Why, after giving so much of my time, the prior week, did I feel guilty saying no to Monday's request? I didn't need to look far to find the answer. Having been raised in a very religious middle-class family. I've learned I had to earn everything I got, including love. If I did something nice for someone, I received kindness through return. If I chose to do something for myself, to put my own interests first, I was told I was being selfish, prideful and rude.
1:19
So, I learned at a young age, to put myself last in order to earn the feeling of being loved. The sad thing is, I never learned how to set healthy boundaries, stand up for myself, or pursue my own interests. I voluntarily put myself last for decades, thinking others would love me more if I did. But what I earned instead, with a life half lived, I learned to smile on the outside and was often complimented on it. While on the inside, I was hollow, pleasing everyone else, negated my ability to know and love myself.
2:00
While reading The Emotionally Healthy Woman by Geri Scazzero, I was awakened by her words. Imagine the possibilities for your life, she wrote, If you knew you could make mistakes, be imperfect and still be lost? What might you do if you were so secure in the love of God? That you were free from the approval of others? Wow, what would I do? I would speak up, I would tell the truth about how I feel. And I would spend more time pursuing my goals and dreams.
2:36
And in the end, I think I might be able to love others better because I would be filled with the love of God and with love for myself. What would it mean to you? If you knew you could make mistakes, be imperfect, and still be loved? If you were so secure in the love of God, that you were free from the approval of others? Would you say no more often? pursue your own God-designed goals and dreams? Would you feel more free to be honest about your thoughts and feelings?
3:12
The truth is, when I said no to my daughter, the world did not end she did not throw a fit or tell me I was being selfish. She simply worked things out on her own. And I was proud of her for doing so. I realized more every day that my less than perfect is more than enough. More than enough to love my daughter and grandson. Even when I need to say no and take care of myself. More than enough to forgive a close friend after she rejects me because of a personal trial she is enduring, completely unrelated to our relationship. More than enough to accept that I cannot save the world no matter how much of myself I sacrifice. There was only one savior, and His name is Jesus.
4:03
As I am more than enough, you are more than enough to more than enough to face and overcome the challenges in your life. More than enough to conquer the fears that have held you back more than enough. Just speak up for yourself knowing that in the end, you will be able to love and be loved in a stronger, healthier way. You are a beautiful, imperfect reflection of Jesus Christ.
4:33
Learning, growing and being filled with the goodness of God each day. As the saying goes, two steps forward, one step back. Focus on the forward movement on God's movement in you through the Holy Spirit. Receive and believe in the freedom God has given you to become who He created you to be and embrace your right to be free to be less than perfect, confident in the knowledge that your imperfection will always be more than enough. Thank you for joining me today for Episode Two. I look forward to sharing future episodes with you.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai