Wisdom to Know the Difference

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

Weeks ago, my 30-year-old microwave broke. The repairman can’t get parts needed to fix it because of its age. So I had to buy a new one that doesn’t quite fit the customized space and that the installers left a bit crooked. I can fill in the gap. No problem. But crooked? No.

I live in an imperfect world. As I go from day to day, it’s important for me to ask, from time to time, “Is this okay?” and take appropriate action when the answer is no—even when it’s more effort than I want to expend. What’s your experience in dealing with imperfection?