Over the week plus a few days after Christmas I chose to put together a very difficult puzzle. It was a picture of the Sistine Chapel ceiling with all the nudes and angels and God right in the center cut into 2000 tiny pieces. I decided to do a puzzle because I wanted to do something different. I needed to do something that would engage my time and allow me to concentrate. I wanted to do something that wasn't productive in the usual way that I make quilts or crochet. And I didn't want to clean anything. I have fond memories of working puzzles with my family as a child. My husband and son and I also worked a few puzzles while Moose was growing up. I like the challenge of a puzzle.
The thing about a puzzle for me is that it engaged my mind while allowing me to consider things and to pray. I have been mulling over some things. I have some disappointments that I just have to get over. I have some decisions to make. The darkest time of the year often finds me a little seasonally depressed, both because of the lack of light and the loss of my last baby many years ago at Christmastime. I needed a focus and the puzzle was perfect for that.
When hubby and I finished that puzzle late in the evening of January 3rd we found that we were missing 2 pieces and we had two leftover pieces that didn't fit. It didn't seem possible, but that was the evidence in front of our eyes. I was really mad. How could they sell a defective puzzle? Going into a weekend it was impossible to call the puzzle company because the number on the box said limited hours Monday through Friday.
It seemed impossible to be missing two pieces and to have two extra pieces that didn't fit anywhere. Then Saturday morning as the light streamed in I noticed a slight variation in one piece already in the puzzle. It was in the wrong place. When I moved it, the two leftover pieces fit. The puzzle was complete! What a difference the light made. Later on Saturday we went to the Mass of the Epiphany in order to beat the winter storm that happened Sunday. There was incense and the 3 kings songs and all the pageantry of the revealing of the newborn king at Mass. Epiphany, the coming of the light.
I had a epiphany earlier in the day as well, besides the finding of the puzzle piece. I need to lose weight. I don't need to lose for beauty or because someone is putting pressure on me. I need to lose for health reasons and so that I can realize my dreams. To do the weight loss thing I need support. I like to receive encouragement and praise when I am working hard at something. The weight loss organization that does all the commercials can give me that. I joined on Saturday morning.
Sometimes in my life I have fought and fought things because there are parts that aren't right or aren't fair. But, in the light of prayer, in the light of Christ, the pieces can fall into place. Things can fit. What I need is the light. The Light of the World makes all the difference.
![]()
The thing about a puzzle for me is that it engaged my mind while allowing me to consider things and to pray. I have been mulling over some things. I have some disappointments that I just have to get over. I have some decisions to make. The darkest time of the year often finds me a little seasonally depressed, both because of the lack of light and the loss of my last baby many years ago at Christmastime. I needed a focus and the puzzle was perfect for that.
When hubby and I finished that puzzle late in the evening of January 3rd we found that we were missing 2 pieces and we had two leftover pieces that didn't fit. It didn't seem possible, but that was the evidence in front of our eyes. I was really mad. How could they sell a defective puzzle? Going into a weekend it was impossible to call the puzzle company because the number on the box said limited hours Monday through Friday.
It seemed impossible to be missing two pieces and to have two extra pieces that didn't fit anywhere. Then Saturday morning as the light streamed in I noticed a slight variation in one piece already in the puzzle. It was in the wrong place. When I moved it, the two leftover pieces fit. The puzzle was complete! What a difference the light made. Later on Saturday we went to the Mass of the Epiphany in order to beat the winter storm that happened Sunday. There was incense and the 3 kings songs and all the pageantry of the revealing of the newborn king at Mass. Epiphany, the coming of the light.
I had a epiphany earlier in the day as well, besides the finding of the puzzle piece. I need to lose weight. I don't need to lose for beauty or because someone is putting pressure on me. I need to lose for health reasons and so that I can realize my dreams. To do the weight loss thing I need support. I like to receive encouragement and praise when I am working hard at something. The weight loss organization that does all the commercials can give me that. I joined on Saturday morning.
Sometimes in my life I have fought and fought things because there are parts that aren't right or aren't fair. But, in the light of prayer, in the light of Christ, the pieces can fall into place. Things can fit. What I need is the light. The Light of the World makes all the difference.
