I’m so glad you’re back, or even here for the first time. We’ve been focusing on one word from Philippians 4:8 each month since September of 2021. We only have one month left. Is there a scripture or topic that is weighing on your mind? If you have something you’d like to see us focus on, email Melinda at [email protected].
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
I’m gonna be honest, this month’s focus is incredibly difficult for me. Hence the reason it is posting so late. I am a perfectionist, and struggle to see anything as excellent. I am currently trying to re-program my own brain and my parenting so that I can help my children see there is more to life than being perfect.
Because I am a perfectionist, I don’t see excellence in many places. I better really pay attention to this month’s scripture readings!
What is “excellence”?
Excellence is the quality of being outstanding or really good.
EXCELLENCE: distinction; high quality; superiority; brilliance; greatness; merit; caliber; eminence; preeminence; supremacy; peerlessness; transcendence; value; worth; skill; talent; genius; virtuosity; accomplishment; expertness; mastery; prowess
Do you struggle to find excellence in your world? I have been working on not having such high standards for me or my children or my husband. As a mom we tend to see ourselves in our children, sometimes this is fun, and sometimes we realize we need to address some things in ourselves so that we can help our kids.
I have a 6-year-old who doesn’t want to finish anything that isn’t exactly perfect or what he expected it to be. Picture isn’t quite right, trash it. Words are spelled wrong, don’t use the eraser trash it. I am a perfectionist who has gone from trying to make everything perfect, to just not trying. It is one of the hardest aspects of myself to face and admit it’s there.
I have ignored it until I see it in the 6-year-old and a little in some of the others, but it is becoming very evident to me that I have to face this. I must face my own not-perfect perfectionism to help my son work through his.
As I read through the scriptures I have pulled this month I am reminded that ONLY God is perfect. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. In fact, he knew we wouldn’t be and he sent his son to bridge the gap.
But [God] said to me, “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
Thank you, Lord, for covering us with your perfect power and excellence. Please help any mommas out there who are like me to STOP looking for perfect excellence in themselves, their spouses, their children and others. Thank you for the excellent plan you have for us.
I am trying to find ways to take the time and energy to acknowledge the efforts my children and husband put into various efforts.
More importantly, I am making an effort to praise God for his perfect excellence and the ways he is always there for me no matter how far short I fall of excellence. There is a new list of 31 verses to help us define and focus on excellence this month. Please join me in reading and writing them down. As always, we would love to hear what impact this plan has on your life. Download the plan below.
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
Teaching ourselves to focus on what is truly excellent, God, is a worthy goal. Not only a worthy goal but it comes with a promise from our God, the God of peace will be with us if we focus on these things.
Come back in April for “worthy of praise”.
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If there is any excellence Philippians 4:8-9 scripture list
Meet Melinda!
Melinda is a Christian, a wife, and a mom of 6. She has a blended family and has spent much time trying to learn how to "mom". She's still not perfect, but it makes her that much more grateful for God's grace and mercy in her life.