FEBRUARY 7, Romans 8:28

Robert shuffled through the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. “Wow! I’ve never tried to do a puzzle with so many pieces before!” he exclaimed.

“I know it looks hard, but I’m sure you can do it,” said his father. “Want some help? I could turn the pieces right side up for you.” “Okay,” Robert agreed. “I’ll work on the table.” He started to sift through the jumbled pile, looking for red pieces. “Robert, do you know what this jigsaw puzzle reminds me of?” asked Dad as he turned pieces. “Uh-h-h… my room, I guess,” answered Robert with a laugh. “A big mess.”

Mom chuckled. “It does look a lot like the clutter I sometimes see under your bed,” she said, “but I had something else in mind-our lives. Sometimes life is puzzling to us. It’s confusing-filled with overwhelming problems, and we can’t see how the pieces can possibly fit together. But God has a plan and purpose for everything that happens. He knows all the pieces will fit perfectly, even when we can’t see how.”

“Do you mean like the time I didn’t make it to the school soccer team?” asked Robert.

Dad nodded. “Yes,” she said. “You were so disappointed. You didn’t see how that ‘piece’ of your life fit at all-you said you thought you might as well give up playing soccer.”

“Yeah, but then the coach called,” remembered Robert. “He was coaching his neighbourhood team, and he asked if I’d like to play the goalie position.” Mom nodded. “So you joined that team, and you really, really liked it,” she said. “You had a great time.”“Yeah, it was fun!” agreed Robert.

“I think God wanted you on the other team so we could get to know the other guys,” said Dad. “Some of them accepted our invitation to come to church and heard about Jesus.” He glanced at the puzzle pieces Robert was putting together. “You have that table almost finished already!” he exclaimed. “Always remember-just like those pieces are fitting together to make a table, God fits all the ‘pieces’ of our lives together to make something good.”

Thought: God will fit all the pieces in my life nicely together.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes when I’m in the middle of disappointment, life seems a jumbled mess that will never fit together. Often I can’t see or understand how the things that appear to be hurtful to me could possibly be good for me. Help me Heavenly Father in those times to trust You, that You have a plan and purpose for all the things You allow in your life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.