An Artist of Highest Degree

I would never be mistaken for an artist. I am definitely more the left-brained, analytical type. In fact, my attempt to make a scrapbook for my children made it quite clear that having to think creatively stresses me out. I’ll stick to balancing my checkbook, thank you very much.

So imagine my surprise as I read Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity and came across these words:

Insecurity’s best cover is perfectionism. That’s where it becomes an art form.

Several months ago I began reading Beth’s book with high expectations. I wanted to get a firm understanding of insecurity. What exactly it is, what causes it, and how to get rid of it. I wouldn’t say that I was terribly insecure, but I knew of a few insecurities that I wanted to overcome once and for all. I looked forward to getting to the root of the problem and weeding it out.

But I never expected to hear that I was an artist.

I stared at these words, reading them over and over again. Really!? Perfectionism is a cover for insecurity?

I took my sweet time working through the book, and have had a couple months since to ponder it even more. And yes, Beth, I think you are right. I was an artist. An artist of highest degree.

I’ll share more, but for now I’ll leave you with a song that’s been playing in my head {which I modified, of course}. Any Mary Poppins fans out there?

source: walt disney studios

Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-ey

Chim chim cher-oo!
I does what I hates and I hates what I do
Today I’m a perfectionist and as you can see
A perfectionist’s an artist of ‘ighest degree
And it’s all me own work
From me own insecurity
Chim chim-in-ey, chim chim-in-ey
Chim chim cher-oo!In hope,
Shelli