Puzzling

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement
Puzzling

Asked to stay home as a way to stem the spread of the Coronavirus, we used the unusual free time to put together two 1,000-piece puzzles. We’d had them for a long time but never took time to put them together. We liked the pictures so we kept them hoping to get to them someday. What better time than a pandemic? After hours, actually days, of frustration we finished the first one, only to discover two pieces were missing. It goes without saying that we had hunted for what piece should fit those places over and over as we put it together. They must have stuck to clothing and dropped somewhere out of sight. So even the completion brought an element of frustration. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the satisfying click each time a piece settled into its proper place after a long, long search to find the right one. The final picture was almost worth the struggle to get it together. Not to be daunted, we undertook and finally finished the second puzzle, but renounced any idea of ever again doing such a large puzzle. Fewer pieces better suit our eyes and puzzling abilities.

Reluctant to tear apart the hard-earned product of many puzzling frustrations, the finished product still decorates our card table. We still shake our heads as we look at those two spaces where the pieces are missing, and we wonder how they escaped us. It sets me to wondering. Does God survey the beautiful earth He made and see holes where pieces are missing which are required to finish His picture? His patience is perfect so while He regrets those people who are lost and not following His ways, His responses are full of love and grace. What frustrates us humans does not ‘rule’ the heart of God. His infinite patience allows us free will. God, help us choose to follow your ways. Help us be the piece of your puzzle that completes your purposes. Help us redirect into fruitful thinking our angst and frustration when we are thwarted. Fill us with your love for others and your grace and caring. Help us move in Your will.