Whispers and Winks from God

Some days, more than others, I get to missing my Nanny. She was the only grandmother in my life growing up. I was so blessed to have her. This past Christmas, I asked for puzzles. My Nanny loved her puzzles. In her last years, here on this earth, you could always find a puzzle on her table in the comfiest little nook of her home. Now, as I put my puzzles together, I feel close to her.

I have found, though, with puzzle building, much more than my Nanny’s presence, I have found frustration. When there are 100 or more pieces of the same color, it’s very frustrating when it takes forever to find that certain piece! PIECE…you know its homophone is PEACE. We are never at peace when frustration lives in our lives. The Bible offers numerous verses that address frustration. A very familiar passage is Philippians 4:6–7. This passage tells us that we shouldn’t be anxious—or, its synonym, frustrated—about anything. It says we should take those frustrations to the Lord, and that His peace will guard our hearts and minds. What an encouragement as a believer to be able to turn to God during frustrating times and have the promise of peace in return!

If you enjoy puzzle building, how do you like to begin? I like to find all the pieces that will create the frame. Then, once the frame has taken shape, I begin working on the inside in sections. Much like my spiritual life… God formed me. He created my “frame.” Psalm 139:13-15 tells me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God formed my inward parts in my mother’s womb and wonderful are His works! Just as I work on my puzzle in sections, I am reminded how God works in the different components of my life – the parts that make up the whole of me. This reminds me of a song I sang as a kid. You might recall it… “He’s Still Working on Me.” The lyrics mention the unfinished parts and how we are fashioned by His loving hands. How He is the potter, and we are the clay, and how loving and patient He must be. It takes patience to complete a puzzle. A little each day is my philosophy.

Then there’s the joy of the completion! It’s such a joy to sit back and look at the finished masterpiece. God’s work in me will not be completed until I leave this world and make heaven my home. I pray that when that day comes, God can look at me, His masterpiece, with joy, in the completion of my life.

Do you have a puzzle that you are working on? Are there pieces of your life that need a touch from the Master-Builder? Why not sit down, starting with one section at a time and ask God to help you with all the pieces! Piece by Peace it will all come together… and oh the joy of the completion!