I did it! It was close to midnight but I finally put in the last piece … of the 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle I have been working on for the last few weeks. It was so big when the pieces were spread out it took the whole dining room table (a table that can seat 8!). Anyone who visited the house was ordered to put in at least three pieces whenever they passed the table. It took HOURS and I almost gave up several times, but persistence paid off and last night, when it was finally done, I took some photos and texted them off to people who had helped with it, to show that it was done.
Without putting too fine a point on it a puzzle can be an interesting metaphor for life. Often life seems a jumble of pieces that make no sense. Even more than that, often I would pick up a puzzle piece, absolutely confident I knew where it would fit and no matter how many times I turned that little bit this way and that it would not fit the space. Then, to my surprize, days later it would easily slide into a totally unrelated part of the picture the colours and shape blending perfectly in a spot I would never have predicted. How like life this is. Sometime I think I know exactly how things are going to turn out and, to my surprise there is a change, a challenge, an interruption that takes everything in a different direction. I know that this is not what Jesus was referring to when he said “Be as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.” But the dichotomies of life are often very puzzling. Plans and expectations are often changed when life gets in the way. As the old adage goes, ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell God your plans!’
Whenever we put a puzzle out it has to be at a time when we know we have time. A puzzle cannot be rushed, it is something to work away at, studying, testing, trying, repeating. A puzzle can take all our concentration or it can be a gentle activity while talking on the phone or listening to the radio. Much like life, it can’t be rushed or hurried along and it is best enjoyed when we take it slow! A puzzle is also a great community activity. Several people working on a puzzle often fall into idle chat with that puzzle as a helpful third part of the conversation. Problems can be sorted, loves can be revealed, while piece by piece we build the picture.
I have left my completed puzzle out on the table and every time I pass by I admire it. It’s done. I will box it up soon but first I want to savour the accomplishment of sticking with it, that is also a bit like life. Sometimes we just need to appreciate what we have done, how far we have come, who we have been with, and say a quiet, “Thank you for this.”
