Over Christmas and New Year’s holidays in Austin, TX, our whole family worked intermittently on Jigsaw puzzles (4 completed successfully). The activity offered, for the generations of blended families, a welcomed spirit of quietude—during the typical excitement of the days. When someone wanted quiet, distraction—-or simply felt compelled to find the place for some strangely-shaped puzzle piece to fit—the puzzle of the day provided just that.
I’m good at doing 25-piece jigsaw puzzles! Not so much on one with 1,000 or 2,000 or so pieces. Those nearly give me Hyperopia! Also, I have trouble sticking with that sort of activity. Not my family! There were always people around the table—one, two, or more. Simply seeing such peaceful hum of fun was pure joy. The fun didn’t stop upon our return to Georgia— at least not for Jennifer. She single handedly completed a 750 piece puzzle in two days! (Well, I did connect two or three pieces.)Late one night, I found her still leaning over the table—it was relaxing, she said.
No Jigsaw puzzle has any identical pieces, making a good challenge. The nicer ones (read, more expensive) snap into place, therefore only the correct piece will fit in its proper place. The production process for puzzles is long, intricate, and precise—from the artwork all the way to the packaging. Steel curlique bands are then shaped for the press (die cutting machines), to produce the pieces. Small wonder the puzzles tend to be pricey.
Human beings are puzzles too. No two are identical ones there either. And according to the Psalmist, we, too, are intricately created. We do, however, have similarities to; our skeleton, our skin, our social needs. Yet each one is unique. Just as our jigsaw puzzle activity over Christmas week engaged us, each one taking a slightly different approach. The human spirit in its diversity gives an attractive component to our social interaction. In positive ways, this interaction can temper community strength.
In a measure, a jigsaw puzzle is somewhat like life. One person wants to rush toward the goal—graduation, marriage, career, whatever. Another person wants simply to savor the journey—much like the person who lays out the puzzle pieces on a table, and works on it for weeks, even months. The difference is that the jigsaw puzzle is inanimate. Life is not. Life moves on—with or without outside help. Life awaits personal decision. Even no decision is a decision.
A big difference between a jigsaw puzzle and life, is that life is dynamic; there is no box with a full-color picture as a guide. There are patterns for life; health, nutrition, shelter, safety. But to a large degree we figure it out as we go. Although Scripture, prayer, fellowship, and worship are basic guides, we make our own choices. That is the marvel free will affords. We are not puppets. Therein lies wonder and joy; choice lies before us. A vision of hope, joy, and love beckons to us as surely as any full color jigsaw puzzle picture.
©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2023