LORD, Jesus, I sat with good friends Sunday after church over lunch. We shared stories. And I heard them tell about times when they only saw Your hand through a knothole in history. Only later—as You unfolded Your long-range plan—did the knothole and the painful moment make sense.
I needed that reminder. Because when I see something that is wrong or confusing, I tend to think I'm seeing the whole picture. But I know I'm not. I am seeing only one piece of the puzzle.
You, alone, have the whole, finished puzzle in sight. You know how each piece fits together perfectly. Even the jagged edges. Even the pieces that seem like waste. You use them all.
So, come what may today, teach me to lean into whatever comes my way. Knowing full well You are at work in everything in my life to do good, because I am Yours, for now and always, no matter what.
I know anybody can trust You in the good times. It takes faith to trust Your hand and timing in all things.
Because I love You. Not because You give me what I want. But because You are You. Amen.
Verses for Today: "But my God is at work in everything to do good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." — (Romans 8:28)
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." — (Isaiah 55:8-9)
"In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment." — (Psalm 102:25-26)
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." — (Proverbs 19:21)
"Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." — (Lamentations 3:32)
Closing thought for today:
Don't rush to solve the knotholes in your life. Just hold the pieces in your hands and let the Master Painter take them. I'm 86 years old—I've seen enough puzzles to know that the last piece always fits.
Even the painful ones. Even the confusing ones. Especially those.
Trust the One who drew the picture.
