One Piece at a Time

Defeat turned his usually bright smile into a frown. “It’s too hard. I can’t do it,” my son screamed. Through his tears and protests I assured him. “You can do this.”

I had assigned him a puzzle. One bigger than the ones he normally pieces together with ease. He looked at all of the missing parts and quit before he started.

“I can’t do one with this many pieces. I can only do the smaller ones,” he petitioned.

Confident in his ability and sure he’d be successful, I coached him, “One piece at a time.” I pointed him towards the matching color groups. Reminded him of the things he already knew. Celebrated every step towards the finished product. And never let him quit.

He put it together without any trouble. I knew he could do it, one piece at a time. The more fits he found the more confident he grew. By the time he pushed the last part into its place, that bright smile I love stretched across his face again. He did it.

Doesn’t life feel that way sometimes? The big picture beats us down so much we can’t muster enough confidence to even try. We don’t wonder what if I fail. We decide we already have.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

If you face a mountain today I offer this hope … the big picture belongs to God. He knows, by His power, you can do it – even if you don’t. Listen as He coaches. Look as He points. Pick up one piece at at time. And every now and then step back and celebrate.

We’re doing something exciting here through the month of October! With your help, we’ll be one part of God’s puzzle. I can’t wait to share with you what God is putting together. Stay tuned for next week’s post where I’ll explain everything. 

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