The Puzzle Piece- A Story of Patience

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

I love puzzles! Just the quiet calm of sitting still and studying every curve and detail as it fits into the big picture. The small satisfaction when a piece finds its mate, and then another and another, until the lines between each piece smoothly align together making a beautiful scenery.

Then, the double edged sword of motherhood and puzzles.

You know where I’m going with this one right?

Calm solace….concentration….maybe some music playing quietly in the background. You have collected all the edge pieces. Maybe even have a small section put together…and then…it happens!

Cries of “somebody get me out!” resonate through your house as baby number 1, 2, 3, maybe 4 or more enter the scene. Rush! Running around. Bottle, breakfast, Blue’s Clues (the triple threat!) and your day is on the move…ready, set, go!

Okay, okay. So, each scenario varies, but you get the point. Soon, your puzzle is missing pieces cuz baby or doggy so kindly swept them to the floor. The progress you made is a mangled mess and no longer in any sense of order. You huff and puff and blow the house down. This is why mommy can’t have nice things!

It’s actually the reason mommy rarely gets into projects. Because very quickly my fuse is blown and the frustration that rises is not worth it. So, my boxes of puzzles, paints, crafts, books, sewing, scrapbooking, whatever I really dive deeply into, is safely tucked away for a day when the pitter patter of little feet are no longer the driving force behind my day.

(Which all too soon comes to an end…so take no moment for granted…all those things can wait…your people can’t.) #soapboxforyourentertainment

This story really should be labeled “Peace in Patience” because the more I think and pray on these pieces of the puzzle in our lives, the more I realize, patience is not a choice but a peace in the patience is!

Peace, faith in knowing God has a plan, and while we may not see the big picture now, or this side of Heaven, we know He is always working things out for our good and His glory.

So, God handed you a piece of the puzzle, maybe two, maybe a handful. Promises, open doors, guidance, towards His will in your life. But, you only have a few. This reminds me of pretty much every story ever told in the Bible! Let’s visit a few.

How about Noah. “Build an ark, I am sending a flood, but I promise to protect you and your family and anyone else inside the ark.” (Im obviously paraphrasing here). Genesis 7:1-4

How about Abraham and Sarah. “You will be the father of many nations, even though you have a total of zero children in your old age.” Genesis 17

How about Joseph and Mary. “Your wife is going to have a son, Jesus. He is not your biological child, but the Son of God, and will come to save all people from their sins.” Luke 1

And the stories can go on and on. David, Esther, Ruth, Daniel, Paul, Peter, John, can you think of more? I am sure you can. There are even modern day saints of God who never saw the end of their stories at the time, but were given pieces and God put the puzzle together. Jim Elliot, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor…

So, what am I saying?

Are you holding a few pieces of God’s plans for your future in your hands today? Do you have a promise or an open door or a settledness about God’s will that you are clinging to, but have zero idea when the other pieces will appear? Patience isn’t something we get to choose. It is literally something that is forced upon us. It’s called….

THE WAIT!!!

But how you wait, the peace you find in the process, that is what changes the wait from a drudgery to a godly patience.

So, when you wear your piece to the puzzle today, remember that God wants your patience at peace with Him. Surrendered calm, knowing that He is in control of every part of your story.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

Isaiah 55:8-13