Sometimes I can't make sense at all of the world around me. At times, it seems I'm just wandering about aimlessly. Of course I know that's not true; my faith tells me it's not true. But it can feel that way. When I have a touch of illness, when tragedy strikes, when disaster hits on a large or small scale, things can seem frightfully bleak. Like monsters lurking, waiting to pounce, circumstances can grow larger and darker the more I look at them.Some years ago, when I was facing a time of difficulty, it occurred to me that I only see a tiny part of the overall picture. God is the Artist, standing ready to make a Masterpiece of my life. I keep pulling the brush from His hand, but He always takes it back the instant I repent and offer it to Him. I have witnessed His great Mercy sweep across my stubborn smudges and work even those into His grand design.
Still, from where I sit, sometimes things don't make a great deal of sense. There seems to be no real pattern (I think at times). There can be a lot of dark. But I see only a small part of the picture, I remind myself. I'm like a jigsaw-puzzler responsible for only a tiny section - with no boxtop illustration to help me see how my little bit fits into the bigger plan!
My little portion, jumbled and dark though it may be, DOES fit into a much larger picture. This I trust as fact. Because God assures me of it, this I know.
One day I will see the finished work.
"Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man, what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9)
"We walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)
"God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His decree." (Romans 8:28)
"Now we see indistinctly, as in a mirror. Then we shall see face to face." (1 Corinthians 13:12)
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| Adoration of the Eucharist, J.J. Espinosa, 1650 |
Beautiful...I love the effect of the small pic and not really seeing anything then the *big picture*! We lose focus of that big pic so many times, especially during trials.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed day.
Your use of a paintbrush in God's hand is good imagery. It's a really nice way to see the way God works in our lives. I need to be reminded daily that there is a purpose for all the things that happen in my life.
ReplyDelete" I'm like a jigsaw-puzzler responsible for only a tiny section - with no boxtop illustration to help me see how my little bit fits into the bigger plan!" What a great analogy to help me picture why I should keep trusting that all things really do pass through the hands of a Good God, whether they look like it at the moment or not. Some pieces of the puzzle are still waiting to be turned over, and I just see my small section anyway. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks so very much, my friends! I hadn't thought about the fact that some of the puzzle pieces aren't even turned over yet... I guess our lives are made up of a series of "turnings over..." being unfolded a tiny bit at a time.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have to be reminded DAILY (second-ly!) that there is a purpose for all the things that happen. It's a continual struggle, which is, I think, why I "need" analogies!
I lose focus on the big picture during trials - oh yes; and I do even in the less trying times as well. Sigh. Thank God for the marvelous mercy of God.
Oh Nancy, I like being a tiny part of the big puzzle which will be a Surprise one day! It's lovely that our pieces are all joined, so that we work together to create the exquisite picture God designed.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the great Saints have "corner" pieces :)
Thanks, Nancy, as always for your lovely thoughts!
Patricia, I love thinking of the great saints having corner pieces! Oh surely they do. They must have all the edges, keeping all the rest of us in place. And I, too, like knowing we all are joined together, by and in Our Lord. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHey Nancy, I didn't even cheat and scroll down (of course I WANTED to but held back)! I love the imagery you've used in this post too. It's a wonderful reminder to us that God has everything in His hands and is in control despite the bits and pieces we see around us that seem to make no sense.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments here. I hope you are enjoying your time with your grandchild. St. Anthony will help you find your brain after! I smiled when I read your comment on Karin's porch!
St. Anthony helps me find absolutely everything!! Thanks for your nice comments, and yes, I did have a good grandchild-day. Now to find my way to a pillow....ZZZzzzzzzz
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