Sunday, July 19, 2009

RECEIVED FROM A FRIEND

Embracing Imperfection

When I was a little girl, my Mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular, when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my Mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned toast in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Dad did was reach for his toast, smile at my Mom, and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that toast and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the toast. And I'll never forget what he said: Baby, I love burned toast.

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his toast burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, Your Momma put in a hard day at work today, and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt toast never hurt anyone!

You know, life is full of imperfect things......and imperfect people. I'm not the best housekeeper or cook. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults - and choosing to celebrate each other's differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where burnt toast isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship in fact - as understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

We'll be friends until we are old and senile. Then we'll be new friends!

9 comments:

Merle said...

Dear Patty ~~ This is a great post and what a good lesson for the little girl to accept things that
are not perfect. A great Dad.
Thanks for the comments and I am glad you enjoyed the post
Things are going well here, with the exception of my E mail server has not delivered my e mails for 3 days.A few comments went straight to my blog. I will contact them tomorrow.
Take good care and look after yourself my friend. Love, Merle.

Winifred said...

That's a lovely post and it makes me feel a bit guilty.

My Mam used to always burn the toast. She could go through almost a loaf before we got a couple of slices. Sadly I doubt I was so nice about it.

I burn the toast now and again and it's usually because I'm running about doing too many things. I always think of her when I do and now I know what the problem was for my Mam.

Luckily my husband likes toast very dark but I still can't stand burnt toast!

Renie Burghardt said...

Much wisdom and good advice in this beautiful post. Thanks for sharing it.

Have a nice evening, Patty.

Sister--Helen said...

what a sweet thing to say to a friend..

DeniseinVA said...

Patty, this is such a wonderful post. Your Dad was a wonderful man and so very wise. You have the key to a happy life there, one that I try to follow myself. Not perfect but when I read posts like this one it just reminds me that I am on the right road. Bless you Patty.

Pat - Arkansas said...

A wonderful story. We all have some "burnt toast" in our lives.

Wanda said...

Simply beautiful.....

Reader Wil said...

Hi Patty! That's a beautiful beginning of the day. For your post is the first for me to read!Good morning!

Priyanka Khot said...

It is a beautiful story. Will try to remember this advice always. :)