“I’ve never asked you this. But, do
you believe in God?”
“Yeah…but, I can’t understand how
bad things can happen to good
people. You know. I don’t know how
He can ignore my prayers…”
“Again I’ll mention a puzzle. When
we’re born we each come with one
puzzle piece. As we go through life,
or milestones, we get another piece
of the puzzle. The pieces of the
puzzle come from life, and our
journey…and the picture becomes
clearer with each milestone, or
significant tribulation. Faith is like a
puzzle.”
Jemma smiled and leaned forward
toward “Nora.”
“Jemma. God wants us to lean on
Him for all things. Sure, He gives us
free will to choose, but He expects
our choices to be aligned with His
word. And to stay focused on Him no
matter what. With each trial we
overcome, thanks to His strength, we
get another piece of the puzzle. The
picture of faith becomes clearer and
bigger each time. You understand?”
“I guess. But, when does this so
called puzzle get finished? When do
we get the whole picture?”
“The puzzle never stops. It gets
bigger and bigger as you go through
life…and your growth in the LORD,
gets bigger along with the puzzle.
50
JASMINE'S PLACE
When we pass away, and are called
home, that puzzle of our life comes
with us. It is how the LORD will judge
us…based on our puzzle.”
I watched that intimate encounter,
and knew it was a blessing to have
witnessed. One in which I’ll never
forget, as evidenced by this writing.
“Nora” passed away one month later.
She had left only select staff notes. I
was one of the fortunate ones to
have received one. I chose to read
her last words in my office. It was a
long letter of thanks, mixed with
metaphors, and love. However, it
was the last paragraph which really
choked me up:
“In closing, don’t cry for me. I’m with
the LORD. But most important, my
puzzle has finally been completed.
Sweet lady, please continue filling in
your puzzle…until we meet again.
God bless you abundantly.”
Please note: This is based on a true
encounter. The words in the
conversation are as I remember
them. And, “Nora” – whose name
was changed to protect her identity,
lives on in my heart. I’m sure her
completed puzzle picture was as
magnificent as she was…
C D Swanson has written twenty
Christian Books and contributes to
various magazines that reach a
worldwide audience, Should you
like to check out CD Swanson and
her work you may do so at her
website.
www.cdswanson.com