And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,...(Romans 8:28, KJV)
My jigsaw puzzle working friend, JoLynn, finds joy in looking at the mishmash of colors and motley/dissimilar shapes which have been dumped out of a 1,000 piece puzzle box. She knows that they are all part of a bigger picture----which she doesn't even choose to see ahead of time. She allows the pieces to "work together" to form the picture. (I recommend "Zuplez" 4/9/09 blog entry for a more complete explanation of her unique ability)
Scrabble expert friend, Ann, has a similar approach to all those tiles that tumble out of the maroon velvet bag. As she selects her "unseen" 7 tiles for her tray, she has an uncanny way of perceiving the longer words or the higher scoring short ones. She takes what is dealt her and begins looking for only the tiles that are needed exchanges. I want to turn them all in for a fresh start. I can't "see" the possibilities. She sees multiple possibilities. Her technique is the winner. At least, I've never won against her.
Sadly, I often approach life seeing only the pieces, the broken pieces---a hodgepodge of events..... and not factoring in the Lord and His bigger picture for me until later. My desire is to "pray my way out" of the "pieces and tiles" that are uncomfortable or hurtful.
For many of us, daily events appear to pour out pieces of life that are stressful, troublesome, disappointing even. Yet, these troubles can be used by God to teach us important life lessons. Where we see stress, He sees opportunities. Unexpected crisis are a part of life---at least in the Liles household. But.....a crisis for any of us can be used, by the Lord, as a lesson for growth and betterment in our lives.
Intentional practice is needed to see problems as learning opportunities. Opportunities waiting to be solved in His timing. If one doesn't focus on seeing God's hand or begin quickly praying and asking to see God's hand, then problems can overwhelm and negatively consume one's thought life.
Look for the bigger picture. Exchange all those disjointed and disappointing mo-TEA-ley, miscellaneous pieces of life for His all encompassing peace. Remember to thank the Lord in everything and to ask Him to clearly show the life lessons He has in each piece.
Each piece of one's life exchanged for His purpose = His peace.
The Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)
A mo-TEA-ley cuppa needs to be sweetened with God's peace.
