Imperfect

I have been through a tremendous dry spell inspiration-wise...although I have found myself digging into some courses since the first of the year.

Brene' Brown's Gifts of Imperfection part two class has been one of them...and she always gets me to thinking.

Now in West Virginia for 10 days (stories to come)...I'm able to recharge and experience renewal doing what we introverts do best...

I've been thinking about imperfection.  And during this holy week, how much my flawed, sinful self cost Christ.  Imperfect!  Watching Son of God last night, I was moved when Jesus had called Matthew (a tax collector) to follow Him. Even some of the disciples prior to Jesus' encounter, expressed their disdain.

When I researched the status of tax collectors in Jesus' time, Bible History dot com makes it perfectly clear the reason for disdain.

The Jews detested these tax collectors not only on account of their abusive and tyrannical attitude, but because the very taxes that they were forced to collect by the Roman government were a badge of servitude and a constant reminder that God had forsaken His people. The tax collectors were always classed by the people with the harlots, usurers, gamblers, thieves, and dishonest herdsmen, who lived promiscuous, lawless lives. Some of the common terms for the tax collectors were "licensed robbers" and "beasts in human shape." 

And yet Matthew displayed one of the most radically changed lives in response to an invitation from Jesus.  He did not hesitate. He did not look back.  He left a life of wealth and security for a life of poverty and uncertainty.  He abandoned the pleasures of this world for the promise of eternal life.

So what started to be a post about a still life has turned into a celebration of God's grace as well as a reminder for me, a prick of conviction, to be merciful of the imperfection I experience each day ~ from myself and others.

All is grace.  Happy Easter.  (also a late link up with Textured Tuesday...)