October 12, 2021

I wonder how many of us suffer from a strain of perfectionism. In an excellent This American Life podcast called “My Bad”, listeners were asked to send in their most embarrassing moments. Of course, the episode was hilarious, but the host’s summary was poignant.

She noticed that a large majority of people were still deeply ashamed of their embarrassing moment, some nearly crippled by it. Her conclusion – we think we are not allowed to make mistakes in life. We expect to skate through life with a perfect record.

Here is what the psalmist says about that. “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)

We will fall over and over and over and over and over again. But we will not be cast headlong. It will be okay.

“Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Proper 23 – BCP)