John & I were working a puzzle a while ago.
And not just any puzzle. A yard sale puzzle - you know, the kind with no box so you're not really that sure where everything goes. Trust me, it's a great challenge for a nickel.
As were separating pieces - insides from outsides from corners - I'm looking at these little puzzle pieces and we're talking about what the puzzle might be.
It's at that point that it hits me.
There's no way I can look at one tiny piece of a puzzle and know what the puzzle will look like in the end. I don't have a box to see the final picture.
There have been so many times in my life when things have come out of the blue and caused such hurt and loss. And so many times my response is "God, why are you letting this happen?"
You see, when I wasn't living for Christ and I made bad decisions, it was kinda easier to accept. Bad choice, bad consequence. That just makes sense, right?
And not that I'm a champ at making great choices now, but I try. I try to live a life that's authentic and pleasing to God and that's also filled with bucket's full of grace. So when hardships come against me, I'm frequently left with "Why?".
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways, my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways,
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Just like my yard sale puzzle, I can't look at one little piece of my life and always see where it fits into God's overall plan. I can't see how it's going to turn out or recognize the blessings to others that may come of the results of what I'm going through.
So I keep my head up. I keep breathing. And I trust that the one who made me, who loves me despite all that is me at times - I trust that He is in control.
And He's working the puzzle so that my randomly shaped piece fits in to make the completed picture that He has for my life.
