This was an important life teaching gift that my elderly friend gave me as we sat together in our Sunday Services. Blessings, Gar
—"Do not quarrel, therefore, with your lot in life. Do not complain of its never ceasing cares, its petty environment, the vexations you have to live and work with. Above all do not resent temptation; do not be perplexed because it seems to thicken round you more and more, and ceases neither for effort nor for agony nor prayer. This is your earthly practice. It is having its work in making you more patient, humble, generous, and unselfish kind and courteous. Do not grudge the hand that is molding the still to shapeless image within you. It is growing more beautiful, though you see it not, and every touch of temptation may add to its perfection." Quote taken from "The Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond, pg 22.
Pieces of Life’s Journey
It was bitterly cold as I walked into the Assisted Living for Church services this morning. My special friend was already working on her giant puzzle that looked as if it could be a 2000 puzzle piece picture of the universe. I asked her how she figured on getting it finished and she replied with a twinkle in her eye, “Oh, I go slow and find which piece fits where it should go.” I didn’t want to appear as if my faith in her ability was lacking, so I said, for you that is easy, but or me, it isn’t.
She assured me that it is possible by showing me her technique. I tried to be interested in learning as she showed me how to match the right puzzle pieces with the right puzzle design. I said that they all look alike to me and I could never finish a puzzle. She took my cold hand and said that as your cold hand will gradually get warmer so will your skill of doing a giant puzzle get better if you try. I thought that I would let her do the work and then admire it.
My hands were getting warmer and it was time to begin the Sacrament Meeting. As the meeting progressed, my mind kept wandering back to the puzzle and the uncanny patience she had in finishing it. Then, one of the speakers told us how important we all were to God and that He was aware of our feelings and that our lives fit together in the eternal scheme of His Plan of Happiness as pieces to a giant puzzle will fit and that every experience we have is as an important piece to that puzzle. He described that every experience, big or small, fits together and develops within us more patience, kindness, love and charity toward others while giving us more understanding and knowledge of the reasons we have lived. I looked over at my friend and she whispered to me that that is how you get your puzzle put together.
The speaker continued: “We may think at times that our lives haven’t meant much to God, but we mean a lot to Him. He has given us unique experiences that if endured well will help us continue with our life’s journey.” I remembered how hard it was to learn to walk and run over again after my Mission and how that it was accomplished with one tiny step at a time. I thought of my friend and the struggle she has had to breath and especially now during the winter months. I marveled at her ability to keep getting dressed each day and setting her puzzle making goals. She was always cheerful with her encouraging smile to anyone who seemed to be struggling. She was a genuine blessing to anyone who took the time to get to know her.
I knew that her life’s puzzle was nearing its completion. If you took one piece of her life’s puzzle and analyzed it, it might not seem to be very much, but as she has patiently allowed God to help her put the pieces of her life together, she has arranged a beautiful design that will help take her throughout the eternities ahead. Thus, it is with each of us as the pieces of our lives fit together and make everything more meaningful.
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