Praying a Jigsaw Puzzle

Photo: Tammy Shoemaker, OSB

I reflect as I work a jigsaw puzzle; I find that it depicts one’s life story. I invite you to go the journey with me as you work your puzzle. Here goes:

When just the outer edge of the jigsaw puzzle is completed, it shows the framework of the puzzle-to-be. In life, it might represent the whole world before God created humans. But as the puzzle is being worked on, each new piece represents a person.

As one works on the puzzle, some pieces connect so easily while others do not seem to fit at all. God has a niche for each of us and we each need to find where we are meant to be.

Sometimes the working of the puzzle moves along easily while at other times, it’s difficult to bring the right pieces together. In life’s story, there are many times when things just don’t seem to be working out while at other times, things move along so smoothly. Both on the puzzle and in life, our patience may be tried, but the only answer to success is to carry on.

When the puzzle pieces come together, each piece connects with four others which, in turn, connect with many. And so it is with us---we share God’s message with comparatively few, and we know not how many persons have been touched by our words.

Note -- most often, the puzzle pieces do not have straight edges. We, too, are imperfect and our encounters with one another may or may not yield our intent.

When we place the last piece in the puzzle, we are delighted to experience the joy that comes from a job well done. The intended picture seems to come alive.  At the end of our journey on earth, the reality we looked forward to will, indeed, come alive. We reap the rewards of life well lived as we see our God face to face.

Janet Thielges, OSB