The Missing Piece
THE MISSING PIECE
Read Psalm 130:1–131:2.
Karen hung up the phone and walked over to her parents, who were assembling a jigsaw puzzle. “Cindy Lawson got the summer babysitting job at the Tylers’ house,” she announced. “Isn’t that awful?”
Mom looked puzzled. “That’s a nice opportunity for Cindy.”
“But I wanted the job,” grumbled Karen.
“You should be glad for your friend,” said Dad. “Besides, you’ll find other things to do this summer.”
“No, I won’t,” Karen pouted. Then her face brightened. “Maybe if I call Cindy back and tell her how much I wanted the job, she’ll let me have it.”
“I think you should let the matter drop,” said Mom.
“But I’m sure God wants me to have this job,” whined Karen. Then she glanced at her father curiously. He had picked up a puzzle piece and had gotten out a pair of scissors. He seemed to be considering cutting the puzzle piece. “Dad, what are you doing?”
“I’m trying to fit this piece into this empty spot,” explained Dad. “If I cut off this bump here and glue it onto the other side, I can make it fit.”
“You know that won’t work,” scolded Karen. “Besides, you’ll need that piece somewhere else.”
Karen’s mom laughed. “I think I know what your father is trying to say, Karen. That puzzle piece represents you.”
“Right,” said Dad. “Trying to jam that piece into a place where it doesn’t fit is like you trying to get your way about that job. Even if you succeeded, you would miss out on whatever God really wanted you to do.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you get upset when things don’t go the way you want? Remember that God is in control, and He knows what’s best for you. Let Him put you in the right place at the right time.
TO MEMORIZE:
I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn, yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.
Psalm 130:6
DON’T INSIST ON YOUR OWN WAY.
From the book
