Devotionals by FamilyLife

The Secret Ingredient in My Lasagna
By Lisa Lakey

In one day, I managed to:

• hit the snooze button one too many times,
• get the kids to school late,
• get me to work late,
• yell at the kids over a minor infraction,
• drop a fresh-out-of-the-oven dish of lasagna (no one likes shards of glass in their ricotta),
• snap at my husband for helping to clean it up, and
• step on the dog’s tail.

And that’s not including the calls and texts I forgot to return and the cookies and extra cup of coffee I called lunch.

I had pretty much failed everyone that day. By the time my head hit the pillow I was done. Emotionally. Physically. Mentally. I decided to wait until next year to apply for “wife of the year.”

But you know what? It’s okay to not be okay.

We all have days, weeks, months, maybe even years, where we just don’t feel like we measure up.

That’s another reason Jesus came. With Jesus, we begin again. Again and again.

Even when I feel like a failure as an individual, a wife, a mom. Even on the days when my marriage feels so far from His ideal or mine. (He knows my efforts won’t get us anywhere close to flawlessness.)

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11: 28-30, MSG).

I don’t need to be perfect, have the perfect spouse, perfect kids, or a perfect marriage. I don’t even have to serve the perfect meal (although the glass was a bit much).

Perfection belongs to Jesus. And He’s patiently, diligently working His perfection in me. He beckons me and my oh-so-human marriage to come to Him, flaws and all.

If you’re in your first year of marriage, you might find some surprises along the way. Read more.

The Good Stuff: But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Action Points: Admit to God that you need Him. Give your weaknesses and struggles to God. Invite God to meet you there and ask Him for fresh grace and strength.

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