We received a jigsaw puzzle for Christmas this year. (Thanks Sam and Allison!) I’m not much of a puzzle do-er, my spatial awareness is lacking on good days, but since it was there, we decided to give it a go. And it was tough going. Firstly, this puzzle is laser cut on wood, and the thick pieces are oddly shaped and unexpected. Next, the picture provided with the puzzle was very small and not very detailed, so as we progressed, we had to guess sometimes, especially when the same colors swirled at random spots throughout the whole. Then, there was a bit of a curveball since the edge pieces afforded us no comfort and very little help. Only the two side edges were straight, the top is arched and the bottom scalloped.
Sheesh.
But we soldiered on through the difficulties. And finished it!
I was admiring our work on New Year’s Day, feeling pretty cocky that we’d done it. Then it hit me: Facing a new year is akin to slowly completing a jigsaw puzzle. The expectations we have may be nebulous and undetailed, giving us little guidance about choices and connections. We’ve not a clue about where the edges will reach or what boundaries will show up. Slowly though, with some perseverance, a lot of patience, and holding tight to the trust that the Maker has indeed supplied us with all the pieces we need to achieve a finished product, we can walk through a year, or a moment, or a relationship, or a life with purpose and hope.
May your 2024 be filled with the wonder of discovery, with finding new ways to fit it all together, and with joy at what is revealed.
