Dear Rose Park,
It’s a tradition. At the beginning of every school year, parents ask their children to take a ‘first day of school’ picture. This was never a favorite tradition of mine. I can remember standing in my driveway with my backpack slouched to one side, my eyes half-rolling and begrudgingly smiling while my other 6th grade friends waited for me to walk to the bus. However, in the current social-media era, every picture posted is flawless. Sisters don adorably matching outfits while holding hands and smiling and brothers wrap their arms around each other while holding a sign that says ‘First Day of School.’ But let’s be honest, we all know there are other pictures that didn’t make the cut.
The Waterstone family is definitely guilty of hiding the ‘other’ pictures. If you were to see all of the potential pictures for our Christmas Card from a few years ago, you’d see pictures of Simon throwing a fit, Rudy jumping up and down, and me trying to hold Rudy while maintaining a pleasant look on my face. Keep in mind, Sam looks great in all these pictures. However, the picture we send out is the one where we’re all smiling and staring at the camera. This same dynamic rings true for our First Day of School pictures. I’d imagine there’s plenty of pictures that never get posted of sisters giving each other a side-eye, brothers who are wrestling and poking fun at each other, and even a parents finger who is blocking part of the camera lens.
This is all to say, none of us are as perfect as we portray ourselves. In fact, there is freedom in recognizing and embracing our flaws, our limits, and our dependence on the One who is perfect. Rather than putting in the tremendous effort to pretend we are without flaws or limits, perhaps our hearts, minds, and souls would be lifted to greater peace and hope if we simply embraced our need and dependence on Jesus.
As you navigate another school year, another work week, another week of raising little ones, or another week of retirement may you be reminded of your dependence on Christ. This dependence should not shame you or belittle you, but instead free you from the temptation and idolatry of self-sufficiency. By living into the freedom that Christ offers, you can embrace all that God has called you to be with grace and truth.
We are not perfect. We all have flawed family pictures. We all need Jesus.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark