My maternal grandfather (I called him Papaw) had some pretty severe health issues in the latter part of his life requiring constant oxygen and limited mobility. One thing that seem to bring him the greatest joy and help him pass the time was putting together puzzles. He would sit for hours at a time working on thousand-piece puzzle’s. One particular puzzle I remember was of a large poinsettia field. I remember glancing at the pieces and getting mildly frustrated because every piece looked the same. That one puzzle would have taken me weeks to complete because I didn’t have the patience. It only took him a few days. My Papaw was doing it simply for the enjoyment. I was looking for instant gratification. He always had this ability to look beyond the pieces to see what it could become. I remember him encouraging me to start out by doing the outside pieces first. Once the border was finished he would begin from one corner and work his way towards the center. Every few minutes he would glance at the front of the box to be reminded of the final product. I would get frustrated by the enormity of the job before me and run outside to play. Upon returning he had miraculously finished a small section of the puzzle. Over time, piece by piece, it always came together. I don’t think I ever saw him get upset unless he got to the end and realized he had lost a piece. Thankfully, that missing piece was always close by and would be found on the floor or having fallen between a crack in his coffee table.
Sometimes I look at the puzzle that is my life and get frustrated. My ‘To Do’ list gets longer by the day, I begin thinking about upcoming bills and worrying how they’ll get paid, volunteers are needed at my children’s school for multiple events, I can’t seem to get caught up at work… I just can’t do it all. And for someone that is a consummate over-achiever, that frustrates me beyond belief! It’s like this nauseating merry-go-round that continues to pick up speed. No doubt King David understood what is was like to be overwhelmed. He fought many battles throughout his life. Psalm 118 finds him expressing thanksgiving for the battles God had brought him through. Verses 5-6 state, “I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” I’m sure the puzzle of his life frustrated him from time to time but he kept pressing forward. Piece by piece, little by little, with help of His Savior, things always came together. From time to time, especially in those overwhelming moments, I’m sure he had to reflect on the big picture. But he knew the promises God had made to him. If God helped him with the lion, the bear, and that vulgar giant, surely his God would continue to work on his behalf. What has God done in your life? Surely, if He brought you through those things, He will help you through this!
Closing remarks and encouragement: Maybe you’re at a place of frustration and can’t see past the enormity of pieces that need to be put together. Be encouraged! Fulfillment of your greatest blessings or promises from God require more work on your part. Don’t get frustrated. Just work on your puzzle one piece at a time. You’ll eventually realize, with God’s help, it is all coming together!
Have a blessed week, my friends!!!