Jigsaw Puzzle

The colors matched, and the shape looked about right, but the piece refused to fit into the jigsaw puzzle. I turned it in every direction, but no edge would fit. I even tried to pound it into place, which got the yellow flowerpot to attach awkwardly to the head of a dog. I finally gave up and realized it was the wrong piece in the wrong place. Unfortunately, by trying to force it, I tattered the edge so that it didn’t look quite right even when I found where it fit. Eventually, the puzzle was solved—all except for the piece with the blue flower that has never been found.

So it is with jigsaw puzzles and with life. I once accepted a job thinking it was a perfect fit. It wasn’t and trying to force myself to be who and what I am not has left some scars. I surrendered to God, and he put me in a place I would have never chosen. He knew where I fit. I did not.

I’m older now and most of my puzzle pieces are in place. The picture is becoming clearer to me and others who know me. Some pieces are still missing, but I can see that it is a beautiful picture. Yesterday I stood in line behind a woman wearing a t-shirt that said, “To the person behind me, you are beautiful and amazing. Don’t forget it.” Her message added a piece to my puzzle on a day I was feeling ugly. I thanked her for noticing.

Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” This assures me that the One who began the puzzle that is me will not stop working until it is finished.