WorshipWeb: Braver/Wiser: A Weekly Message of Courage and Compassion

Good Enough

By Lindasusan Ulrich

“Perfection is a stick with which to beat the possible.”
—Rebecca Solnit, in Hope in the Dark

I call myself a recovering perfectionist. People usually laugh when I say that, not realizing how serious I am. Perfectionism has robbed me of joy and kept me from being present in my life. I remember a chamber ensemble concert in high school, for example, when we played a challenging piece of Bach beautifully — yet afterwards I was in tears, distraught, because we hadn’t reached the soul-soaring heights of a previous concert.

When I look back on that moment now, my heart aches for my teenage self. I’ve worked hard over the years to let good enough be good enough. Sometimes, the universe forces the issue.

Recently, after enduring a couple of intense weeks, my life felt on the edge of coming apart. I knew that after writing and delivering one more sermon, I’d have a chance to come up for air. Instead, my body decided that Thursday night would be a swell time to get a sore throat, stuffy nose, achy muscles, and a loopiness that wasn’t exactly conducive to nuanced thought.

How am I going to do this?, I thought in a phlegm-stuffed panic. Friday is when I write, but I can’t even keep my head upright.

That’s when my sweetie reminded me of Rebecca Solnit’s Hope in the Dark — and took our kindergartner out for a full Saturday of activities so I could keep writing. Meanwhile, colleagues reminded me to take my human limitations seriously. Maybe I could give myself a break this time?

And so I put one word after the other, trying to weave the threads into something relatively cogent. Good enough would have to be good enough.

Every time I preach, my prayer is May I offer something they need. So afterwards, when people in the receiving line said, “That was just what I needed to hear today,” I knew my prayer had been answered. I knew I had been faithful in bringing the best I could — and it was, indeed, enough.

Prayer
Spirit of Compassion, remind us that our task as humans is not perfection, but faithfulness. Help us to do all that we’re able and to remember that we’re surrounded by loved ones who can share the load. Amen and blessed be.

About the Author

Lindasusan Ulrich

Rev. Lindasusan V. Ulrich (they/them) is a minister, writer, musician, and activist dedicated to radical inclusion, deep collaboration, and courageous kindness. Lindasusan has served congregations in Connecticut, Michigan, and Minnesota; is a certified spiritual director; and identifies as a...

Follow/Subscribe

For more information contact .

Rows of colored candy, meticulously laid out in rows of the same color, with one yellow candy in the "wrong" spot

Listen to Rev. Lindasusan Ulrich read her reflection, "Good Enough."

For When I Really Don’t Want to Learn This

By Elizabeth Nguyen

From WorshipWeb

Spirit, I would really rather not learn this. Didn’t think I needed to. I thought someone else could do it. Thought a leader was coming to do it. Thought the young people could do it. Or the elders could do it. Or the professionals. Or I don’t want to learn it ‘cause it means letting go of...

For When I Really Don’t Want to Learn This