Puzzle Pieces

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
Marvelous are Your works . . .    ~Psalm 139:14

I really like the "Cross Fingers" app. I like how it challenges my thinking. I like figuring out what the puzzle is all about and then the delight I feel when it's completed (and kind of explodes off the screen). 

Come to think of it, I have several puzzle apps on my devices. There's just something that's fun to me about how all the different shaped pieces can fit together and form a picture.

I love discovering just the right piece to fit with the others. 

This week, I've been thinking about fitting in -- about how often we seem to be wishing we "fit" into the puzzle that is our day-to-day life -- and about how sometimes it's difficult to embrace the puzzle piece shape that is ours when we can't readily see how it may contribute to the picture.

At rowing the other night, our coach was explaining what the characteristics were of the rower in each seat of the boat and the very specific contributions of the person in that seat. For instance, a rower who is exceptionally strong might be placed in a particular seat, while one who might not be the strongest but who rows well technically might be strategically placed in a different part of the boat. It's not necessarily the case that all rowers have to be good at the same thing, but each rower must excel in what she does best, which is actually what makes a stronger team. 

It was quite a visual picture for me of the necessity for each crew member's trait (or "shape") in order for the boat to function optimally. Oddly enough, I felt the same "puzzle delight" after hearing the coach's talk.

It is my faith that each of us has been purposly fashioned with a unique design to do just that -- to function in a place where our own giftings are exactly what's called for.

For example, you might be a stickler for details, you don't miss a thing and can follow a plan to the letter -- driving everyone around you crazy because they just want to think about the big picture. But then one day your boss has too much to do and needs to find someone to take over an important project and be confident that person will make sure every detail will be given attention -- and there you are, the ideal person for that job!

Or maybe you're someone who has a hard time keeping your feet on the ground (much to the dismay of  the people who need you to seriously function!) because you're always dreaming about grand ideas for the future. Then you meet someone who says "I know the kind of project I'd like to do but I just can't see how it can all come together" -- and boom! -- you come up with a fantastic vision of how this can be.

 It really is a marvellous thing to see how we're designed.

 I just think that maybe we spend more time feeling discouraged that there's not a place for our piece to fit than we do celebrating our puzzle shape and looking forward expectantly to the moment that place presents itself. 

I want to encourage you today to believe this: that your characteristics are specifically designed for you. I want you to think of who you are -- who you love to be -- and really value that -- honor that.  (Even when you feel at times that you and God are the only ones who can see how marvelous you are!) 

I want you to notice (or remember) the moments --no matter how brief -- when you bring just the right contribution to a situation at just the right time -- a word, a perspective, a talent.  

And then, I want you to feel totally convinced that the

puzzles of your life will be absolutely incomplete without you. 

Here's to discovering how your puzzle piece is a perfect fit!

Kay
www.confidentconflict.com