Life can be puzzling
Several years ago our family was on vacation in Mammoth, California. It was early January and there was plenty of snow on the ground. The first night we were there a cold front rolled in, dumping several feet of additional snow. Perfect for skiing. Unfortunately, the weather continued to worsen until it reached blizzard conditions. Cold winds and blinding snow flurries made it unsafe to ski with small children.
Cabin bound, we started a fire in the wood-burning stove and settled in for a day of family activities. Our children were seated around the dining room table. I opened the game cupboard and began calling out our choices one by one. There was Life, Risk, Trouble and Monopoly—games we were all experienced in playing. To me this combination of terms sounded all too familiar, as these are common topics on any nightly news program. The thought entered my mind that life is often full of risks, trouble and shady dealings. We opted not to play any of those games on this occasion.
Next, I came to a Ziploc bag full of puzzle pieces. When I asked if I could interest anyone in putting this puzzle together, the whole family agreed it would be fun to see what the final picture would be.
I like puzzles because there is only one correct outcome, but there are countless ways to approach the task of piecing them together. I have found no matter how difficult a puzzle may seem, it is always easier to solve if you can see the box with the finished picture displayed on the cover. This picture serves as both a map and a guide.
With the puzzle picture in front of you or even just in your mind, you can more easily separate out the pieces and arrange them in groupings according to colors or fragments of scenes. Then you can begin to place the pieces where they belong in the picture.
Unfortunately, this particular box and its accompanying picture had long ago been lost, so we proceeded without this valuable information. We began arranging the puzzle pieces according to color and size. It wasn't long before we discovered at least two and possibly three different puzzles were mixed up together in the bag.
A quick glance out the window confirmed it was still snowing heavily outside. A brief discussion ensued. We talked with our children about the added difficulties and time commitment needed to piece together multiple puzzles simultaneously. The decision was unanimous, no one was ready to give up. With renewed determination we chose to finish the puzzles. We were up for the added challenges.
After more than an hour, the three puzzles began to take shape. At this point we realized we were going to run out of puzzle pieces before the pictures were completed. Pieces of the puzzles were missing. In fact, so many were missing it was difficult to fully appreciate the scenes depicted in each puzzle.
At times, life can seem like a very complicated puzzle. It's easy to become frustrated, exhausted and be tempted to stop trying to sort out and fit the pieces together. To make matters even worse, sometimes after much effort, we discover that several puzzles have been mixed together, with multiple crucial pieces missing from each.
Fortunately, the gospel of Jesus Christ provides us with a clear picture, the plan of salvation. This plan is like having a map or guide, the finished picture to help us sort out life’s puzzles. It can fill in the gaps left by the odd shaped or missing pieces.
Many in the world do not have the picture on the cover of the box, while others don’t even have a box. Just a bag full of loose pieces. Oft times, after years of hard work they become frustrated or saddened by events which are hard to understand. They have worked so hard to piece together the puzzle only to discover key pieces are missing from their bag. Is it any wonder why those who don’t have this picture of the plan of salvation clearly in mind struggle to make things fit? Or why they become discouraged, quit trying and lose interest because of their challenges? For many life can be puzzling indeed.
“All you need is the plan, the roadmap, and the courage to press on to your destination.”
Its a blizzard outside and more storms are on the horizon. So place a few logs on the fire, spend time with your family, work together, have fun and enjoy the journey. The tabletop of life is laid out before you and it is covered with innumerable puzzle pieces of every imaginable size, shape and color. I assure you all the necessary puzzle pieces are there, along with the picture on the box provided by a loving Heavenly Father through his appointed prophets, and apostles.