Too Many Pieces to My Puzzle

Has a part of your life ever felt like a jigsaw puzzle?

For the last couple weeks I’ve been working on chapters for a book project, and at times it seemed like I was putting together a rather complicated puzzle.

A piece of one chapter fit better in the one before it. The last paragraph of chapter 2 worked well as the first paragraph of chapter 3. The first 1,000 words of chapter 3 was moved to the beginning of chapter 2. There were even some words that had to be thrown out altogether.

Since this is my first attempt at a book, maybe I was going at it the wrong way, but it accomplished my purpose. The first three chapters are close to getting my stamp of approval!

This is a good analogy for the rest of my life right now as well. I’m trying to juggle all the pieces and fit them in perfectly. However, that is proving to be difficult.

God, husband, children, friends, extended family, editing, writing, cleaning, packing, preparing, grocery shopping, laundry, exercise, food preparation—the list goes on while my time runs out.

There are endless pieces of our days requiring a slot, yet the frame of each day can only fit a finite amount.

There are endless pieces of our days requiring a slot, yet the frame of each day can only fit a finite amount. Click To Tweet

I have to entertain the thought that maybe they don’t all belong. Some may just have to be set aside for another time.

Have you found this true in your life?

We cram our crazy busy days with so much, getting it all done is near impossible. We meet ourselves coming and going and have difficulty doing anything well.

As I prop my eyes open with toothpicks, I’m thinking perhaps “crazy busy” is not a good thing. Didn’t I hear somewhere that exhausted people are more susceptible to illness or is that just commonsense speaking? Regardless there is so much I miss out on when pulled in a million directions.

Where is the time to savor life’s happenings? When can I just be with my children? Where can I squeeze in a few moments with my husband or even more important and difficult, spend time with my God?

Since we have been created with wisdom and discernment, we have the ability to choose the pieces that fit well within the framework of our life. However, it is not something I’m good at. I’d much prefer just fitting it all in.

But in the end, I find myself frustrated and burned out. Unable to help anyone or accomplish any tasks effectively.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t be discouraged. Be encouraged that you are not alone. Many struggle with this same issue.

In fact, busyness seems to be approaching an epidemic level.

But don’t let that fact deter you. Start removing the pieces in your life that don’t really belong today. Pray for discernment and begin saying no.

Soon you will be a Mary in a Martha world and have just the right amount of pieces necessary for your puzzle.

(And please drop me a comment when you have rid yourself of those extra pieces. It will be an encouragement to me in this most difficult task.)

“While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said.But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, ‘Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.’ The Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things,but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice,and it will not be taken away from her.'” (Luke 10:38–42)

Share in the Discussion: Have you sorted the puzzle pieces of your life and set aside the ones that didn’t fit? Did you find this process difficult or easy?

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By His grace ≈

Julie