My parents and I recently did a puzzle together. I’d evacuated from the incoming hurricane, filling my car with dirty laundry and important papers in the middle of the night to leave fast. As we unloaded the car, my mom asked when we’d do the puzzle.
Exhausted from the journey, I didn’t understand. What puzzle? Then I realized she’d found the Christmas gift she’d given me the year before. I’d left it in my car, never managing to take it inside. The picture on the front boasted bright skeins of yarn. We don’t always grasp God’s timing or His ways, but the Lord knows what He is doing. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (NKJV). God provided a distraction from the storm that raged outside. As we scattered the pieces across the table, we sorted by color. Piles of blue, turquoise, and pink appeared. Some sections were easier to put together than others. I typically look at the picture on the box to assemble the parts, but for this one I looked at how the shapes formed together. Many pieces looked slightly misshapen, making them harder to join. The basket of yarn took shape over several days of focused work. Here are three lessons I learned from this puzzle. 1. Contrast Matters Despite the bright colors, black and gray pieces formed the shadows. We can have dark spots in our lives, but God holds a purpose for them as well. We grow closest to God when we are hurting because we can’t fix it ourselves. We need His intervention to overcome. If we seek the light of the Lord, He doesn’t leave us in darkness. Psalm 18:28 says, “For You will light my lamp; The Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (NKJV). God leads us back into the light. When the bright times come again, we can experience greater joy because of all we’ve gone through. 2. Look for Missing Pieces When we think a piece is lost, we may need to see if it dropped on the floor. Sometimes we misplace the priority of time. Life piles up long lists of requirements as society honors the “busy” as important. We should examine how we spend our time. Do we really need to do something every weeknight? Our bodies are finite. God designed us to rest. We can also misplace our financial priorities. Also, do we need another three-wick candle when we already own 30? Who cares if we have a coupon? That money can be better spent on the church than stockpiling scented candles. God gave us all the pieces we need to live a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (NKJV). When we use the time, money, and talents He’s given us for His glory, we don’t burn out, but live lives complete in Christ. 3. Not All Pieces Go Where We Think Some pieces appeared like they went one place, but actually belonged to a separate section of the puzzle. Things may happen in our lives that don’t make sense at the time. Perhaps God is pre-positioning that puzzle piece in our lives. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time” (NKJV). Maybe we will need that friend or knowledge elsewhere down the road. They don’t fill the current holes we feel in life, but we will need them in the future. His timing is perfect, and He equips us for His purposes. If your life feels like a pile of puzzling pieces, know that God is working them together to create a beautiful masterpiece for His delight.
11 Comments
Joanna Eccles
11/14/2024 09:27:33 pm
God puts all the pieces of our lives together. So grateful.
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Terri Miller
11/13/2024 07:58:09 pm
I've put together lots of puzzles and have encountered all of these scenarios. Love the spiritual parallels you draw.
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Joanna Eccles
11/14/2024 09:28:51 pm
Thankful that the spiritual parallels blessed you. Yay God!
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11/14/2024 02:48:34 pm
I love this post. I often use a puzzle analogy in my grief groups- missing pieces, pieces eventually coming together, rounded or slanted sides. Life is like that. God sees the completed puzzle that looks like the picture on the box. We need to look to Him to put the pieces together when we just don't see where they fit.
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Joanna Eccles
11/14/2024 09:30:12 pm
I agree that the analogy of the puzzle applies to grief as well. Thanks for pointing that out. When we look to Him, He shows us where the pieces go.
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11/15/2024 01:59:36 pm
Isn't it just like our loving Father to send us messages by a surprising pathway? Enjoyed hearing about the useful and inspiring lessons you learned from the puzzle. I'm thankful you has some time to spend with your family, too.
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Joanna Eccles
11/17/2024 10:28:46 pm
God finds the most creative ways to speak to our hearts. I thank God that since I had to evacuate, I could be with family. God is so goo.
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Yvonne Morgan
11/16/2024 04:29:46 pm
Ever since COVID, my husband does puzzles all the time. I love your analogy because it really spoke to me. Thanks for this beautiful encouragement Joanna
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Joanna Eccles
11/17/2024 10:26:49 pm
I also did a lot of puzzles during COVID. So thankful the analogy was relatable and encouraging. Yay God!
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11/18/2024 01:28:01 pm
I love this post. In addition to the distractions the puzzle provided and the lessons you learned, I'm sure your mother was blessed with the quality time you two spent together working on the puzzle.
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AuthorJoanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over twenty years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program. She is passionate about discipleship and helping people grow in Christ. Joanna enjoys coffee and reading, and currently lives in Florida. Categories
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