Perfection

I wish I could say that I have completed something, anything, perfectly the first time.  Maybe there has been such a moment.  If there was, I cannot remember it.  What I do remember is the simple idea that everything in my life gets better with experience.  Each moment is a learning experience for a future moment. 
 
As I worked on a birthday present for Carli, I could see the lessons multiplying.  Simple things were the first to self present for consideration.  Subtle lessons whispered gentle.  Nuances motioned without a sound.  There was so much I could learn from this, yet my need to finish the project took precedence!  I had a deadline.  There was a party and I wanted this to be ready.  I knew what needed to be done and nothing was going to get in my way.
 
The final step was to clean the gift, making sure I had wiped any lingering dust away.  As I ran my hand over the piece I could feel the end grain standing up on end.  This was not what I had called for!  The result was not in the plan.  Initially, I left it alone.  As I freshened up, I realized that this was not the answer.  I had committed myself to a path and there was still an opportunity to do something.  I could act.  I could make a choice.  I could learn.
 
Far too often I find myself taking one correction then balking at doing anything more.  I can be wrong once but never twice!  There is an alternative – fortunately I pursued it with Carli’s piece. 
 
When the wisdom fathers hit one roadblock with God, they pursued a new course.  It was a good choice and yet it was not what God had in mind.  “They went to Mysia and tried to go north to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus wouldn't let them go there either.”  (Acts 16.7)  They could have fought the second change.  They could have, but they did not.  They were open to something even better. 
 
We have the same opportunity.