Sunday Reflection: I’m puzzled

Once a year, I leisurely put together a jigsaw puzzle. I don’t know why I want to solve a puzzle, but I do it. And I don’t like giving full price for them. Like my daughter, the Frugal Shrink, I feel that for some things you give full price, but for other purchases, why pay full price when you can find it gently used or on sale.

One time, my daughter found me a beautiful puzzle. Vintage.  It had a 1970’s scene on it. There was only one problem. After laboring over it for months, the last piece was—missing. This project would never meet my expectations.

 

All kinds of emotions flowed through me over a SILLY puzzle.

• Should I have counted the pieces?
• Should I have bought new?
• All my hard work was for nothing.
• Once again, I’d failed at something.

Have you ever felt like that? You work hard on a project and when you think you’re home free, that success is heading your way, it's not. 

 

• Bosses don’t appreciate the work your do.
• The college degree you achieved means little to others.
• The money you’ve saved for something important now must go to an emergency and you’re wiped out.  
• Your heart is finally healed, and someone busts it wide open again.
• You’re headed for the finish line. The end is in sight. But at the last second, someone from behind races past you to claim your victory.

You hang your head in defeat.

 

You feel like giving up and vow never to try again. Then deep within your soul, a small flame of hope sparks and feeds the voice of encouragement that says, “Don’t give up.  You can do it.”

 

"Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

 He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 31:28-31 NIV

 

Don't give up!

 

Blessings,

Teresa 

 

 

Scripture: Holy Bible, Biblegateway.com