Pieces of the Same Puzzle

There are times that I love puzzles and, of course, there are times that I get frustrated with them just as easily. I think that it depends on how complicated the puzzle is and how many pieces it has as well. I think about if it has some precise details that make it more complicated to put together, only because they all look the same. Sometimes, I have found that I will have to just walk away and then come back to it later. I have also found that I need to concentrate on small sections that can then help me to begin to see the big picture of what I’m working towards.

Of course, if you’ve read my blog much then you know that this isn’t really about puzzles. Right? Actually, I see that the pieces of a puzzle can be an analogy for people too. People are frustrating. They are complicated and complex. Usually annoying, but then they can be so very engaging as well. You have your “pieces” that are bad or make bad choices but then I also consider that there are so many that are good and try to live good lives.

If we begin to see each other as small pieces of a much larger puzzle that God has designed, then we can begin to see things in the world in a new light. In a puzzle, the pieces are already cut and must go in a certain area or then the picture will not make sense. However, there is no pre-cut, certainty of how the people puzzle will work or even how we can all fit together. However, when we take the time, take a step back, and evaluate instead of just jumping in with our emotions, we may begin to see the bigger picture. We need each other in order to get there. We just have to do it together.

So, what did I learn from this? I don’t think that I will ever truly understand people and why they do what they do. They sabotage themselves and then don’t want to understand why they keep having problems. It makes me want to just shake them and shout, “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!? Wake up!”

But the thing is, that until they are ready to see it, you can’t really help them. They have to be ready to receive it in their own timeframe. What you can do, though, is get down on your knees and have lots and lots of prayer for that person and many, many other people in this world. We have a God who works in mysterious ways and you never know when or where someone will be impacted. Trust me, I’ve seen what the power of prayer can do. We have a God who listens. Isn’t that an awesome thing!

What can you gain from this? When we pray for others then we open ourselves up to others’ pain and suffering. It helps us to step outside of ourselves and empathize with what other people are going through. We might not be able to change their circumstances but then again sometimes we can. We can become more giving and loving to others. (Yes, even the ones that are the hardest to deal with. Trust me, they really need it the most!) It’s also that you’ve begun to understand a portion of why they’ve been acting the way that they do. The other thing that you can gain? You also may begin to realize how powerful prayer can be. It can then become a huge wave of people beginning to understand and realize that things need to change and they are the ones to make a difference. One thing that I know is? It certainly never hurts, that’s for sure!