The other day I was wandering in a craft store and found myself in an isle of miscellaneous games and puzzles. And then I spotted a very pretty jigsaw puzzle and paused. " That would be so much fun to do with grandma!" I thought. " It would give me some quality time to spend with her. So even if we ran out of things to say we could still work to fit the pieces together."
So I convinced myself that it would be a good idea to buy the puzzle. And I did.
No sooner had I pulled the box out of the store bag when grandmother came to see what I bought. And her eyes lit up with excitement. She was thrilled at the thought of working on a jigsaw puzzle and I was thrilled that she was thrilled. So it was a good start.
She happily helped me make room for our puzzle on the living room coffee table and we soon started flipping bunches of pieces face up. She attempted to fish matching pieces out from the mass of laser-cut cardboard shapes. But I suggested that we seek out all the edge pieces first and then work our way inwards.
That was much easier and soon we were on our way. First the sky began to take shape and not long after that came the lighthouse.
It took us a little over a week to complete the puzzle. It was rather large. A thousand pieces. And I suspect that passing family members would plug in a few pieces here and there as the days went by. It was just too irresistible to ignore. We all wanted to see the final picture!
There were one or two days when my father would sit down and join us. That was great fun! We talked about all kinds of things. Like how life for a Christian can feel like a puzzle with missing pieces. None of us have all the pieces but God does. And when the time is right, no matter what events are happening in our lives or in the world, He will put the perfect pieces in their place at the perfect time.
And the end result will be beautiful.
We've all been there, haven't we? Maybe some of us are there right now. Feeling as though life doesn't make sense. Not knowing how life will work out. But if we have known God for any amount of time then it is possible to look back and see how He has helped us before.
The Word of God is our beacon in the storm. God is our refuge and strength. He draws us to Himself where we will be safe from harm. And He asks us to trust Him with our futures. Only He has the vantage point to see how everything fits together. Only He can put the right pieces together. Indeed, He makes the pieces!
I love God. I love my grandmother and father and all my family. And I love life... even when it can hurt or be frightening. But then those are the times God tells me to stop looking at the waves and look to Him.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink.
" Save me Lord!" He shouted.
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. " You have so little faith," Jesus said, " Why did you doubt me?"
When they climbed into the boat, the wind stopped.
~ Matthew 14:30-32
Blessings to you!
Blessings to you!
8 comments:
What a fun thing to do together. Althougj for I don't do it coz i dont have time and place to do it. And it requires patiece too which I dont have too. Hi hi . When i am doing things, i want tjem to be finished in no time. But i am patient with people though. Trying to see them in God's eyes.
What a beautiful jigsaw Sincerity.
Yes, that is true, if we keep our eyes on Jesus we will stay afloat in the storm, if we look at the turmoil of the situation we are in, then we shall sink into that turmoil because that is all we shall be focusing upon. When faithfulness looks up from the ground, righteousness looks down from the sky, steadfast love and faithfulness meet when we put our trust in God.
What a fun way to spend time with family! I am so thankful that God never loses any puzzle pieces like we have around here! Keepin my eyes on Him...enthralled by who He is...Many blessings!
joy: Yes it was a fun activity to do together! I haven't had much time or patience to attempt a jigsaw puzzle in a long time either.
But recently I have felt God laying it on my heart to make more time for my grandmother. I have had to sacrifice time I would be spending doing other things I enjoy but I think its worth it.
Sometimes sacrificing our time is the best way to show someone how much they mean to us. At least I know that God sees that sacrifice and uses it for good.
Thanks for sharing!
Brenda: Very true! When we trust God our trust is never betrayed and always rewarded!
BelovedBomber: :D I'm thankful He never loses any pieces too! God is just amazing. Blessings to you too.
A very good post, amongst other very good posts. Quality time with someone you love is never wasted. In times past I too have enjoyed doing simple things like jigsaw puzzles and crosswords; they can give enormous and simple pleasure, the likes of which more modern things just don't.
I've always believed that if life is a puzzle, a big jigsaw puzzle, then God gives each one of us a piece, or maybe even two, of that puzzle; to put that puzzle together we need each other for the other pieces and simply to help each other to put it all together. We all have different talents and skills and gifts after all. We can but marvel at God's blessings.
Wow!!! That's a beautiful jigsaw puzzle!!! I'm sure y'all had lots of fun together. Thanks for that idea. I might do it with my grandma sometime :)
T Childs: You make a very good point about God giving us some pieces and encouraging us to get involved in the lives of others to find the remaining pieces.
Yup, jigsaw puzzles and crosswords are really fun! And they also help keep your memory and solving skills sharp. :) A win-win situation if you ask me.
Makayla Warren: Awesome! Go for it! We did have a lot of fun. :)
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