How a Children’s Book Led to a Huge God Wink
It was a little over two years ago when God spoke loud and clear to me in an unexpected moment. I am a K-12 Principal, and I went over to visit in our elementary wing. I stepped into one of our 1st grade rooms and the teacher and I started talking about picture books. One of the books caught my attention. It was called, “ish.” The teacher picked it up and said with a smile, “It’s a book on not having to be perfect…maybe you should keep it?” She and I had many conversations over the years with my struggle with perfectionism.
I didn’t think much more about the conversation honestly but thought that someday I might take the time to read the book. I went to my office and remembered that a 2nd grade student had won the opportunity to come and read a book to me. I called the teacher and told her to send the student over. What book does this sweet girl bring? Out of all the books in the world…she brought her favorite book, “ish!”
This book. It’s about a boy named Ramon who loved to draw. Until one day his older brother made fun of one of his drawings. From that point on, anytime he drew he would crumble up the art because it “didn’t look right.” After many crumbled papers, Ramon decided to be done with drawing. His little sister loved his drawings though and would take the crumbled papers and hang them in her room.
While Ramon criticized his imperfect drawings, his sister saw the beauty in the “ish” pictures. She saw the beauty in the process and not the imperfections. Soon, Ramon started seeing this too and began to draw again. He stopped worrying about being perfect and focused on the wonderful feelings he had when he created his work.
What an amazing God-wink for me! God doesn’t care about perfection. He loves me and wants me to be all He created me to be! Whether that’s momish, principalish, writerish. If you have a child (or grown up) in your life that struggles with growth mindset and being perfect; this book is for them!
