💙 The Perfectly Imperfect

Embracing Life’s Flaws to Discover True Purpose

Hey – it’s Luis.

Saturday, my son won a junior tennis tournament (woohoo).

Sunday was all about church and catching up on the latest Lioness episode.

STORY

I have a favorite pen.

My favorite pen is the LePen Flex, blue by Uchida. It's made in Japan. Its rubberized brush tip is perfect for writing and drawing, and the vibrant blue ink jumps off the page.

TENSION

But my favorite pen has one major flaw. It dries up fast.

I use it daily for notes, sketches, and ideas. If I forget to cap it, it dies even sooner. I burn through one every two weeks at $4 apiece, which is $104 a year.

As a single dad, I weigh my spending. I thought about switching to a cheaper, more durable pen, but that would be a step down—like a sushi chef trading a blade for a butter knife.

OBSERVATIONS

The definition of “favorite” is “preferred before all others of the same kind.”

My son recently upgraded to a Yonex VCORE tennis racquet, a brand we trust for quality. Yonex racquets are made with strict controls, so each one feels consistent, unlike others with more variations.

Many professionals and artists have tools that connect them to their craft. Dali loved Windsor & Newton paints, and Monet favored Sennelier for their rich colors."

We all have our go-to items.

Here are some of mine:

• Aeron Chair by Herman Miller

• BenQ eReading LED Desk Lamp

• Apple Studio Display

• LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebook Hardcover Medium (Royal Blue, Dotted)

• Marvy Uchida LePen Flex, Blue

• POSCA Paint Markers

Revelation

“God has a unique role for you to play in his family. This is called your “ministry,” and God has gifted you for this assignment: “A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.” –Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

Sometimes, others see something in you before you see it in yourself.

At a conference, a worship pastor called me “an artist in hiding.” It took me by surprise (you've seen my drawings), but he wasn’t wrong.

Sometimes, others see your ministry before you recognize it.

The apostle Paul said, “I am going to boast only about how weak I am and how great God is to use such weakness for his glory.”

You

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” –William James

During counseling, a pastor suggested I start serving at my church. He said, “Start something or join something.”

That Sunday, I approached the senior pastor of my church. He listened and asked, “Where are you serving now?”

“Nowhere,” I said. He replied: “Start something or join something.”

At that time, I was going through a divorce—a season of grief and healing. I didn’t feel called to start something new. The pastor invited me to join the greeter’s team and welcome people to our church on Sundays.

At first, I felt uncomfortable. Then, I remembered something from my college days when I worked as a valet at the San Diego Marriott.

“Your job is very important. You are our guests' first and last impression of this hotel,” said the general manager. “Make it a good one.”

I have served on the greeters team for six years now.

My favorite moments are when a new family shows up because I get to welcome them home.

Serving others is not about perfection. It’s about showing up and going where the need is. It’s one of the most rewarding things you can do for your soul.

You do not want to miss out on this experience.

Start something or join something. What do you say?

I hope this message inspires you to go and be the hands and feet of God.

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