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There are times I head home and start replaying the day in my mind—going over something I said, or something I didn’t say quite right. A conversation I wish had gone differently, a moment where I fumbled for the words, or a task I didn’t finish the way I wanted. And before I know it, I’m deep in self-criticism, holding myself to a standard of perfection I wouldn’t expect from anyone else.

Maybe you’ve been there too.

The truth is, that inner critic doesn’t bring much good. It doesn’t help me grow or do better next time. It mostly just wears me down. But in those moments, when I finally quiet the noise, I remember: grace is waiting at the door. Not judgment. Not shame. Grace.

One of the things I love about our Methodist roots is John Wesley’s understanding of “Christian perfection.” Now, that word—perfection—can trip us up. We hear it and immediately think: flawless. Never mess up. Always get it right. But that’s not what Wesley meant at all.

For Wesley, perfection was about being made perfect in LOVE—a heart so full of God’s love that it overflows in how we treat others and how we live. It’s not about never making mistakes. It’s about letting love shape our motives, our words, and our actions more and more. It’s a journey, not a destination. A process of becoming, not a badge we earn.

Even though I’m older now, I still have so much growing to do. That’s humbling, and it’s also hopeful. Because it means God’s not finished with me—and not finished with you, either.

So when I start beating myself up, I try to pause and ask: Did I show up with love? Did I try to be faithful, even if I wasn’t flawless? If the answer is yes, then maybe that’s enough.

And when I fall short (because I do all the time), I remember that grace doesn’t slam the door shut—it opens it wider. Grace reminds me that I’m still learning, still growing, and still deeply loved by God.

This week, if you find yourself picking apart your day, I invite you to stop and take a deep breath. Let grace meet you there. Be kind to yourself. You’re doing better than you think.

Peace, Pastor Tracy