No one living on this earth today is perfect. This is true despite the many who may think they are. However, my mother reminded me: If you want to be perfect, you truly have to wait for heaven. However, if you need to mend something, ask now, and you will receive what you need!

While it is true God made us perfect using himself as model, sin stained that most perfect image. God then sent his son to begin re-grooming us and placing us back on the road toward glory.

Jesus taught that holiness came about doing what the Father requested, when he revealed: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” And Jesus did light our way.

He does this through examples by Loving God and loving our neighbors, and through these forgiving words, Go and sin no more. Jesus made it clear that if we live as he lived, we are re-shaping ourselves according to God’s goodness. When we choose his way, we will regain the luster we lost through our first parents’ betrayal.

Jesus always reminds us that no matter who we are, where we live, or what we become, God sees us, knows us, and loves us with a lasting and abundant love. And when we veer off course, we can easily reclaim God’s good graces.

When we admit our failures and weaknesses, God waits to forgive us and welcome us back on our pathway to begin again. This is who God is: loving, encouraging, and understanding.

Jesus also portrays a happy God who blesses his children in joyous times and appreciates them and welcomes them home after straying. We are fortunate to be loved with such fullness.

Thomas Merton defines our lives in this way: There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.

This is the delightful gift of being a child of God. At times, our luster may dim, but we never lose the ember’s glow. When we feel the cover of darkness clouding our way, this glow calls God’s assistance. God never fails to send help. After all, why would God make us and then not help?

When God places us in our life’s “canoe,” he also places a paddle. We merely have to use the paddle to seek the help needed. God always hears our pleas and points the way. We need simply to burn the ever-present light of trust to discover it. Life isn’t about getting and having, but about having and giving!

My mother is right, not that I ever doubted her. Perfection resides in heaven, but the means to mend our brokenness lies on earth. God never fails in sending it. Never give up, using your paddle. And hope will always remain in our hearts.

BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE. BUT ABOVE ALL, WITH YOURSELF!