Faithful puzzle workers assembling jigsaw puzzles can find joy – BUT . . . Sometimes the challenge is overwhelming. In the public area of our apartment building residents take turns placing their challenge puzzle on the table in the hall. Anyone wandering by may stop and attempt to pop pieces into place. Generally, it takes a couple of days to finish. Everyone cheers when the visual is completed.
Then it happened! The author of this story found a 1000-piece puzzle on sale and ordered it, thinking what fun. I even dreamed of smelling the fragrance of pepperoni, peppers, and pastry as I would slide the pieces into place. Ho! Ho! Was I going to be fooled?
No, of course, there was no sweet aroma arising from the table. I knew that would not happen. What I did not anticipate was the difficulty of this challenge. Folk would sit for an hour and celebrate placing three or four pieces before weariness and discouragement sent them scurrying away. Finally, the outer circular ring was completed, and we applauded.
Then, the challenge – Probably 945 or so pieces remained. Shades, shapes, and similarities boggled our minds. At times, this puzzle maker just wanted to cry. People gave up. Others shared words of encouragement as they wandered by the weary
warriors.
Some even began another, less difficult puzzle in another area. Residents in other areas of the complex inquire about the progress. Life was sad. I felt dreadful that I was the procurer of the challenge. As a sorted and rearranged the pieces, I began to think about life. Sometimes people get into situations way over their head. Illness invades their body, resulting in depression and/or financial challenges. Families develop disputes and misunderstandings causing separation and sadness. Sin even takes over our mind and actions, resulting in some sad outcomes. War may ravage the homeland. People attempt to hold our hand, encourage the individual, or perhaps even pray with them for strength and resolution to the problem.
Hum! Just like puzzle makers. What happened? The faithful folk continued to work steadily. Many never gave up. All appreciated support from on-lookers.
So, it should be with our Christian lives. We must not forget that Christ has promised He cares for each of his children, even in times of a small boat on the Sea of Galilee with the disciples or in the body of the giant fish where Jonah was struggling with life.
Then it happened. About six days later, one loyal worker placed the final piece into place. She never gave up. We too must stay faithful to the end. We can refresh our faith by accepting encouragement from reading the scriptures or chatting with Christian friends who have experienced God’s faithful handholding in their lives. Giving up can never be an option.
There is light at the end of life’s tunnel. You will be able to celebrate with the saints in heaven if you are faithful to the end. And, yes, there will be warm pizza awaiting you at heaven’s gates. I certainly can’t promise that, but wouldn’t it be fun to nibble on a piece of pepperoni as you wander around with other faithful followers of the Lord?
Kathryn Ransom 