MORAL OF THE STORY:

“You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, Oh God. They cannot be numbered!” — Psalm 139:16,17

I told the women to randomly choose three puzzle pieces out of a bowl. Later I asked them what they thought their pieces represented, and what they guessed the completed puzzle might be. Some thought the brightly colored pieces were from flowers, while another thought hers were part of a spreading sunset. Some of the women had pieces that seemed totally dark, and they could only guess what the pieces represented.

Then I held up the puzzle box, with the lid covered so they couldn’t see the picture, and asked, “How many of you think that if we put these pieces together that we’d end up with the picture I’ve hidden on the cover of this box?” The women nodded in unison. I explained that we seem to have more faith that the pieces of a puzzle made overseas will fit together into a beautiful scene than we do in trusting God’s wonderful plans for all the pieces of our lives.

There are dark painful pieces in our life that we may not understand until later in life, and perhaps not until heaven, but God can bring healing to even the hardest challenges, if we ask for His help. Many of us have already experienced how God can bring good out of struggles, either by strengthening us or by allowing us to help others in similar situations.

I encouraged the women to trust God with every puzzling piece of their lives. God has loved us since before we were born, and one day He will fit all the pieces together into something truly beautiful.

And you can quote me on that.

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached at cindy@onthegrow.com or 537 Newport Center Drive, Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.