Hannah C. Hall
About the Author

Hannah writes books for kids, blogs for their moms, and many a forgotten grocery list. She and her worship-pastor husband live on a small farm in Arkansas and have five young children, numerous farm animals, and a completely pathetic garden.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Smiling over the “pathetic garden” in your bio — I’ve got one of those as well, and reading your words about letting go of perfect and taking grace remind me that these are lessons we can learn in our gardens and apply to our family.
    I appreciate your emphasis on the freedom we gain when we throw away our warped yardstick and let God keep track of performance.

    • Thank you, Michele. And yay! I love that I’m not the only one with a not-so-perfect garden in my life. 🙂 Thanks for being able to relate!

  2. Hannah,
    I lived in tornado country for 5 years. We had kind of an opposite thing happen. When we woke up and came out of our basement, my kids beheld a wonderful new toy that had landed smack dab in the middle of our back yard. A pup tent that, we later tracked down, had blown in from about a block away and landed perfectly in our backyard. My kids were so disappointed that it wasn’t theirs to keep – a miraculous gift from above. Anyway, your post reminds me of God talking to me in much the same way. I remember reading “Great Expectations” in English Lit and God has had remind me on many occasions that my “expectations” of others to be perfect and fulfill my every need, just aren’t going to be met by earthly creatures. For so long I expected perfection from myself, and also expected perfection from others. What a spot on post to remind me, yet again, that my “Great Expectations” can only be fulfilled by One person and that is Jesus Christ. Only He can love me with a love that truly fulfills. Only His patience is never ending. Only His grace is sufficient. Thanks for a much needed reminder!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Ha! Bless their little hearts. Why wouldn’t God miraculously send a new toy overnight?? 😉 He is awfully kind like that.

      I’m reminded of that more and more everyday. I will complain that don’t understand why He lets sin go on in this world, and then I remember what a sinner I am and how patient he was (is!) with me- and I am so grateful that He waits.

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Bev!

  3. Your touched me this morning, and as always the gently worded reminders of God’s word. Why do we as humans expect perfection when He is the only one who is? Give me peace my Father in my struggle to abide in your word.

    • Thank you, Carla. And, yes, I’m praying for peace too. Always.

      Thanks so much for reading. 🙂

  4. I don’t often take the time to read this blog every day, but so glad I followed the prompting to click through the link and read your post. As usual, just the nudge (and it was filled with grace) I needed. There’s been tornado winds through this family and the tangles have been overwhelming for so long so this reminder of releasing myself and others from perfection challenges my thinking. How dare I even think I know what the restoration is to look like?! Oh, to release my grip! thanks again for being prayerful in your writing to inspire others.

    • Praise God. It always amazes me how He can use the struggles I face and the lessons I learn to encourage others (and vice versa). He is brilliant in His efficiency! Thanks so much for commenting, Melody. I’m praying right now for restoration and peace in your family.

  5. We have lost two trampolines to wind. We finally got these huge ground screws and tied the trampoline down with that. Worked great!

    Anyway, loved this “..stop expecting him to be perfect…There will only who is and ever will be the perfect spouse.”

    Gold. Love it. So so so true. Thank you for your post and beautiful writing!

    • Hi Natalie!

      Ironically (or maybe I should say, providentially) our trampoline blew away AGAIN last night. And, once again, my husband worked his magic and the thing will live for another day. Large screws will be coming soon, I think. 🙂

      Thanks so much for reading and commenting, my fellow trampoline-er. We’re in this thing together. 😉

  6. Thank you. This was such a helpful reminder that our God is everything we need. Praise Him

  7. I have been through tornadoes,was at the dentist when one went down my street. My white Cottontail was safe. Then I was at home when my dentist’s office was demolished, his papers were in another state. My mother drove through the end of one as I prayed hail would not break the windshield, I asked her to stop under a church awning , she said no. Later, we found out awnings, metal buildings and pole barns had been blown away. It’s safe to say angels watch me. If you get a real babysitter, hope she doesn’t float away like Marry Poppins. Revenge isn’t sweet is it? I have been right lots of times and still feel horrible.

    • Goodness! You and tornadoes have quite a history, Rebecca! Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂

  8. Every bride-to-be needs to be told: Don’t expect your husband to be perfect. He cannot be. There is only One who is and ever will be the Perfect Spouse. Let your husband be free of that burden. (The husbands need to told the same about their wives!) If GRACE is a pervasive attitude in our homes, our familial relationships will be more supportive, more intimate, and more joy-filled. Thank you, Hannah, for your honesty and wisdom!

    • Thank you for reading, Nancy. And, yes! If only I had understood as a young bride what I’m finally starting to understand now. My poor husband would have been spared some very high expectations.

  9. Hannah,

    Couples and families should set boundaries. They should also offer grace to each other. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. My husband and I are constantly forgiving each other. God forgives me over and over so then I should do the same to others. Do not try to fix your spouse-just love them the way they are. I know this world is full of sin and hatred-thus I offer grace to everyone.

    Blessings 🙂

    • I agree, Beth. We will never be sorry that we have forgiven someone. If only I were better at remembering that when it’s time to do so! Alas, I will always be in needs of lots of grace.

  10. God has been working on me in this area of my life so your words were in tune with my heart. I realize that I have expected myself and others to be perfect then resented the fact that none of us are! I placed other people on a pedestal and looked up to them only to realize that they too struggle with sin in their lives. These words resonated with me: “I realized that when I expect others to fulfill me or to satisfy my needs for love or friendship or for provision, then I am holding mortal, fallible, broken humans up to a standard they never can and never will conform to. It’s not fair to them and it strips from Christ the role only He was meant to play.”
    Above all, I feel like I need God to fulfill my needs. But secondly, can I be to others what I wish someone was for me (with the help of the Holy Spirit and the fruits of salvation) and pray for those relationships in my life? If I need encouragement? Learn to encourage others. If I feel lonely and need friendship? Can I offer hospitality to someone? In other words, start with myself (the log) instead of looking at the lack in others (the speck) but never forget that only Christ is our righteous standard. Log & Speck Parable from Matthew 7:3-5

  11. This is just what I needed! I could feel the burden lifting from my shoulders as I was reading. And God, please forgive me for putting this burden on everyone around me as well. I will strive to give myself and others more grace. Thank you for these deep seeded and timely words!