Good Enough, But…

We watched last night’s news. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his allies had been persuading Conservative MPs, potential rebels, to back his Rwanda Bill. He wants to ensure that asylum seekers can be deported to Rwanda…

The Prime Minister won… well, he avoided defeat. It was certainly not a resounding victory. It’s good enough, but… further political rebellion seems inevitable.

I first learnt about ‘good enough, but…’ as a young teacher. Some of my artistic colleagues were expert at putting together children’s work and teaching artefacts in an attractive classroom display. I wasn’t.

I was spending an inordinate amount of time trying, but getting frustrated. I had to sometimes be satisfied with less than perfect. It was good enough, but… I wasn’t happy.

When we receive Christmas presents that are good enough, but… The result can be disappointment, confusion, embarrassment…

I had every intention of getting down to buying Christmas presents a week ago. I still haven’t looked at a present-buying website or looked in any shops, I’ve hardly thought about the pleasure and responsibility of presents for my nearest and dearest.

I fear I shall buy ‘good enough, but…’ presents.

Grandson-Luca came for tea yesterday. For some strange reason he loves using our little cake forks. He explained that he didn’t think he used them often enough. He thought he could use them more often if he had more cake. I like his logic!

Fortunately, yesterday Granny had baked a coffee cake so he was able to use a cake fork. Good enough, but…Luca still wants more cake!

This morning I read Peter’s words: ‘Make every effort to add to your faith goodness…’ It sounds pretty reasonable… If I say that I have faith I should be good.

Commentator Lawrence Richards says: ‘Goodness: The Greek word is ‘arete’… usually translated excellence. It refers to the full development of our potential… We are called to excel as Christians, not to live ‘average’ lives.’

Good enough, but… aim for excellence!