Feeling puzzled by the new year?
One of the gifts we got our son for Christmas was a jigsaw puzzle. My idea was that we could all help put it together and then mount it as a picture in his newly decorated room. The first night we opened the box he and I put together the border. Then we all worked for a while on the inside part and made quite a but of progress. My son worked on the deer, I worked on the brown grass, and my husband worked on the plow.
The next day though it started to feel like we were stuck. We could not get more than a couple pieces to fit at a time. My husband said how it seemed like it should be obvious because all of the pieces are right there in front of us, yet we all struggled to figure out how to make them fit together.
Maybe that is how you feel as you look ahead at this new year. You can see all the things you need to fit in the coming year, and it seems like a jumbled mess…..bills, deadlines, doctor appointments, busy schedules for all of the family members. It just doesn’t all fit together. The pieces are there, but you can’t see how they are going to ever come together to make anything worthwhile.
As we worked on the puzzle, we found that if we took our time and helped each other, the pieces fit together eventually. All the pieces placed in their appropriate places made a beautiful picture in the end.
What can you do when the pieces of life don’t seem to fit? As we start this year and you are confused, stressed, and puzzled by the pieces in front of you, ask God for help. He wants to help us and will be there to give you peace, direction, and patience as you wait.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
I encourage you to frequently ask Him to help you as you face the confusing parts of your year ahead. Don’t try to solve the puzzle on your own.
I’m so thankful God is with us to guide us along the way. I know that whenever I am “stuck” He’ll gladly help me put the pieces together!
Blessings, Joan
Definitely something I will need to practice this year. Wonderful puzzle picture by the way.
I so needed this, Bethany. Some events have unfolded and have left me confused. I’m so glad my God knows it all!
Good word!
Great encouragement to sort out the new year when we are getting confused.
Thank you, Bethany. This is a timely word for me. I still struggle at times with all the changes that have taken place in our lives over the past year. At times I feel fragmented and struggle to make the pieces fit together. Thank you for these words of encouragement. Love you, my friend.
Great post, the new year ahead is definitely a puzzle to me. That puzzle is going to look great in his room!