Give what you have

One beautiful fall day I went walking with a friend, her two little girls, and my two beagles. The girls tugged on the dog leashes and giggled as they ran. Heading around the lake the girls spotted some ripe blackberries so they began to pick and eat them. The four year old couldn't reach many berries, so I picked one for her, looked at in my hand, started to give it to her, then on second thought withdrew it, studied it and wondered if one side had some dirt on it? maybe it was mold? Time was passing and her upturned face waited expectantly as she held out her hand, wondering if I was going to give her the berry. I looked at her mother, looked down at the questionable berry, and exclaimed "oh, never mind!" and plopped the berry in the little girl's hand. Her mom and I laughed and laughed. I smile as I think how I dismissed the importance of the little bit of dirt and decided to "just give the little girl her berry!" How many times have I had something I could give to someone, but I wanted to make sure it was perfect -therefore missing the opportunity to give? Are you holding onto something waiting until it is perfect? Or is now the time?