This time of year, summer harvest is complete. Beans are canned. Corn is blanched and in the freezer. There may still be some okra and certainly the winter greens are planted. Winter squash and pumpkins are ripe. There is a sense of satisfaction knowing our Father has provided and we have stored away His gifts.

Last year I had tomatoes until frost. This year in August the vines died away and quit producing. After the year I had with those tomatoes I really thought they should keep producing.

All summer I would go to the garden and find beautiful tomatoes. But there were many tomatoes that had what looked like a bruise on the side. Sometimes these bruises were small and sometimes large. Most of the time, the tomato could still be used… it just wasn’t perfect. So I’d cut out the bruise and go on with life.

It wasn’t Blossom-end Rot. It was always on the side. I had applied fertilizer as always and Epsom salts. Just never discovered the cause. I had two more garden friends that had the same trouble. We did all the right things and still had “bad” tomatoes.

Sometimes in our Christian life it turns out the same way. We love Jesus, serve others, put the Word in our hearts and still life doesn’t “turn out right”. The devastating diagnosis, the betrayed spouse, the rebellious teen, the domineering parent, the mean-spirited boss, on and on the list goes. Life doesn’t look like the perfect life we imagined.

But what is “perfect” anyway? I’m pretty sure I don’t know. Selfishly, I’d love my family to know Jesus, be healthy and happy and the same for my friends and faith family too. Is that perfection?

I think( Notice that “think” is the operable word here.) that “perfect” is being where God wants me to be doing what He created me to do as I live in relationship with Him. That He is my Lord and He is my Savior.

Life might send some “bruises” my way. But that’s all they are. Bruises. It doesn’t mean Abba can’t use me or you or that we should be discarded. Sometimes those bruises are exactly what we need. Bruises can correct, instruct, and even prepare us for ministry.

We defer to His Sovereignty and trust Him. I think that might be what walking by faith and not by sight could be. Perhaps the bruise is a path to closer relationship with Him. Maybe that’s better than a”perfect” life.

What do you think?