Tired of trying to measure up.

Yes, that performance theme has been working in my mind all week.
A poem begs to be written.

Once there was a girl
Who never seemed to measure up
No matter where she turned.

She couldn't be like her brother.
He was smart, very smart.
He was quiet and calm.
People measured the girl against him
She never matched up.

She didn't live up to her potential at school
She struggled with concepts that others got quickly.
She just had to try harder than most.

At church, the tape measure was evident too.
She was wounded, broken.
She did so want to shine for God
To memorize, to study, to speak up.

In the beauty department she failed too.
She had freckles and pimples
In Jr. High a boy called her 'Gobby'
They humiliated her for not being fashionable.

Worse yet, she was a disappointment to her Mom.
She could not type.
She was awkward in high heels
Her clothes didn't match.

In romance she was unlucky too.
Used, not loved.
Abandoned, rejected
Always the tape, confirming her defects.

Then she decided to check out what God had to say.
She discovered that Jesus measured up.
So she did not have to.
So she could rest and trust his performance.

God offered grace, unmerited favor.
Love without self-effort
Love just because.

Now at last she was free.
No more tapes.
In heaven's eyes she was beautiful!
Precious
Desired
Accepted
Chosen
Included

She did not have to try harder anymore. Just rest in what Christ had done.
FREE.