Missing pieces

I do not know about you, but 2017 went by so quickly, it is hard to believe. The end of Quarter 2 and all of Quarter 3 were much of a blur; I was missing a piece of my life. Not once did I think I would begin this year without a midnight call/text/reflection with my mother on what we would accomplish this year and what she would do to be able to enjoy her summer with the grands, without being inhibited by Adult Asthma/shortness of breath. Since November 2017, I have been mentally preparing for her birthday (January 17^th). She would be turning 62 and I would be presenting her with 62 roses for loving me all of her 62 years, even though God introduced me to her, after the first 20 years of her life had passed. My momma was being prepare especially for me, the day that she was born.

Don’t worry. This is not a sad, devotion. Nor am I seeking for sympathy. In fact, it is just the opposite.

Have you ever attempted to put together a jigsaw puzzle? What about a puzzle with hundreds of pieces where you would work on one part, and someone else would begin another part? Whether you were in your youth or adulthood when you put together puzzles, they seem to provide a sense of anxiety and calmness all at the same time. Although the final image is given on the cover of the puzzle box, producing the desired outcome yourself gives a sense of accomplishment. But, what if a piece goes missing? A bit of franticness sets in. That one piece, prevents the puzzle from being whole- or complete.

Here’s a thought: The missing puzzle piece does not change the image. The picture is not distorted. The other pieces that fit perfectly together are not suddenly difficult to view. Your image just doesn’t look like the image you expected to see from the picture on the box.

The loss of my mother does not change the image of God in me. It does not change the fact that I have a purpose to fulfill. In fact, my pain has caused me to seek my Savior more sincerely and has defined my future more clearly. While the other pieces of my life (children, husband, business endeavors, etc.) fit perfectly together, they are only distorted if I allow the hurt to consume me. My children are still beautiful; my husband still makes me laugh and finds a way to comfort me through my pain. The image of my life now, just does not visually appear as I had expected.

The missing piece to your life’s puzzle isn’t missing either. There’s just a bigger puzzle.

Nanna’s (that’s what my babies call my mom) puzzle piece was needed in the piece of the puzzle my Father is working on. He hasn’t gotten to the section that I am on just yet, so I will continue to be the piece that I am, so that I can doing my part to complete the big picture.

Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ, 16 who is the head. The whole body grows from him, as it is joined and held together by all the supporting ligaments. The body makes itself grow in that it builds itself up with love as each one does its part. Ephesians 4:15-16 (CEB)

I encourage you on today to continue to do your part.

• Maybe you loss a job. It’ll be fine. That job was the wrong piece.
• Perhaps you as well have lost a loved one as well. That’s okay – that person was needed now to aid in completing the big picture.
• Maybe the relationship you desired was suddenly broken off. No worries! You are a part of the puzzle that is creating the head; that person was a part of the tail. There was no connection.

Our Father has us in the palm of His hands. He does not desire that we should hurt. Just know that everything is working for our good and for His glory.

In 2018, seek peace and pursue it. Find the good in every challenge, trial, heartbreak, misunderstanding, and negative Nancy. The green pastures you desire in 2018 require a completely different mindset than what you carried in 2017.

So, I changed my mindset; I am not missing a piece. I will always have this piece of my heart that smiles, whenever I think of my mother.

Happy New Year!