I’ve never been good at puzzles. I have neither the patience nor the desire to
search. I want it done too quickly. My Aunt Bootsie always has a puzzle laid out
on her dining room table …1,000 piece minimum as anything less is mere child’s
play. For years, I thought it was her
mind therapy…a sure fire way to battle deterioration. But now, I’m realizing its part of her
character…she takes little things and turns them into something beautiful. She overjoys to see things emerge, something new developing out of something small. She’s identical with her
garden. She faithfully nestles the bulb
beneath the cold Autumn soil and waits eagerly for it to emerge in Spring. Once the ground is warm enough, she lovingly
sprinkles the tiniest seeds and, with child-like excitement, shares with all
visitors what beauty has developed. She
has encouraged me to stand still and investigate the most intricate seed pod,
looking deep within to see hope, potential. In the same way, with great discernment, she
plots and arranges the puzzle pieces, following each curve, each color
variation to find the perfect fit. Once
completed, the grand reveal proves how each piece was made to fit perfectly
against the other, each color spilling onto the next cut. My impatient mind wonders at her ability to
be still while being busy.
I want it all done now...all good and beautiful things
presented in their full glory without all the waiting. Feeling lately as if I’m looking at a million
piece puzzle, in one solitary color, all with the same curves…business, home
and personal life all spilling into one another. What content to provide, making smart
business decisions, making timely posts, taking appealing photos, tagging
clothes, spending time in devotion, finding time to exercise, maintaining our
home, prepping meals, did I let the dog out? Then more of the same… am I
spending enough time with those most important, the guilt of not writing
enough, building my craft, utilizing my gifts, guilt, guilt, overwhelm, peace,
organize, pray, repeat. Where to start and when to stop.
Remembering yet again, that I come from fierce yet still and
strong ladies, I channel my inner Bootsie and start small…be grateful, give
thanks, be still. Then do one
thing. Be grateful some more. Give more
thanks. Be still more. Do one more
thing. A years worth of small things resulting in 365 things at years end. It
may take longer, but in the end, like Bootsie, I’ll have the most beautiful
culmination of little things. With hope, I’ll look down at my work and see all
the curves nicely nestled against the next little thing completed.
