There is an illusion others have a much more perfect life than ours. On the surface, they appear to be a Norman Rockwell poster of a happy and carefree life.

Trust me, it’s an illusion. Like you and me, others don’t generally share the dark realities of their life.  Depression, emotional or physical abuse, infidelity, alcoholism, addictions, shouting matches are not things brought up in day to day conversations.

Understand that Norman’s paintings are idealistic. They certainly misrepresent the continual three-ring circus act that has gone in my home. Heck, there were a couple of side shows thrown in for good measure. You know, kids in a full blown tantrum with at least one “You’re a big fat bully and I hate you” shouted out. Or, that very important meeting you can’t miss, but you do because you lactated all over your blouse. And then there’s my all-time favorite sideshow, losing car keys or a cell phone. Panic grips me and family members run for cover as I run around the house shouting ‘get out of my way or I’ll kill’ (metaphoric, of course).

If your family is best represented by a comic strip rather than a Norman Rockwell painting, you are not alone. You are officially a member of the “We’re not perfect” family.

Embrace your imperfect family and give thanks to God that He promises to bind everything together in perfect harmony. He knows our weaknesses, he knows our faults and he knows how to forgive. No, we are not perfect; that’s why God sent his son.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”.

Colossians 3: 12-14 (ESV)