Today is both a day of mourning for me and a day of celebration. Six years ago today, I said goodbye to one of the most influential women I have known in my life. Six years ago today, pretty much at this very moment, I received a call from my Mom letting me know that my amazing Mama (or Mamaw for those who don't spell like a Huff) passed from this world into her heavenly home. I don't think I have ever had such a physical reaction to any news before or since. I fell to the floor in utter disbelief. In those few moments, heaven got one of the most amazing ladies I will ever know in this life.
She was an amazing cook, an indescribable artist (drawings, doodles, incredible quilts, intricate doilies), a fabulous gardener, an incredibly patient teacher, a cheerleader, a gracious hostess, a strong disciplinarian, and a veracious student of the Word of God. She was also my friend. Willing to give me the truth straight with a loving touch, willing to pray with me when even she couldn't give me the answers, willing to fight with me or for me no matter the circumstance...I miss her.
I am sure everyone reading this has someone in their life that they feel the same way about. It is a gift that we too often take for granted.
Armina Huff was a light in the World to everyone who knew her, she was also a lesson in perfection or "M" Perfection. With everything she did, my Mama strove for perfection. She would cook something amazing, and then spend the next two days lamenting what was wrong with it. No really, too hot, too cold, too salty, too spicy, bland.....on and on. The woman was brilliant yet no matter what she did, it was never good enough. She crocheted some of the most difficult doilies you have ever seen, not with a pattern..just with a picture. If one stitch was out of place when she was done... she would take the whole thing out and do it again. She has passed this insane vision of perfection on to my sister. Oh what am I saying, it is a family characteristic or curse, I guess it is all how you look at it.
Perfection seems so important to us, but the only truly perfect human who walked the Earth was the Son of God. However, that doesn't mean we should not work toward living a perfect life every day. We are to imitate Christ who was the definition of perfection.
"Be imitators of Christ, therefore as dearly loved children, and live a life of love just as Christ loved us." Ephesians 5:1
We must keep moving forward no matter what mistakes we make, we must press on.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:1-2a
With God's help and guidance and some perseverance, we can get closer to perfection everyday. We just have to decide that we are dedicated to pressing forward. We can't give up no matter what mistakes we make. With every mistake we learn and become smarter, stronger and better able to help others.
I said before that my Mama was a lesson in Perfection or "M Perfection." My sister, Rachael coined "M Perfection." You see my Mama's nickname was Minie... so Minie's Perfection. It isn't perfect but it strives everyday to grow closer and closer. We won't find perfection until heaven, but we should never give up trying to live a Godly life in front of the World. Now more than ever.
I may miss my Mama but because of her life in Christ I will see her again someday in Heaven. I pray that I may be the example to the World that she was, and that through me others will find a life in Christ. May I strive daily to live..."M Perfection"
