A Piece of the Puzzle

My sister-in-law, Laura, age 46, died last night--unexpectedly, as death almost always finds us--leaving behind two sons (17 and 10) and my brother, her husband.  My son wrote the following poem for a high school English assignment some years ago.  I've always thought it was especially compelling, to read the questions he poses and the confidence of his answers.    I love how he shows the glory and magnificence of God's plan for our lives.   Today's post is dedicated to Laura, and I thank Sam for writing such an inspirational piece.

A Piece of the Puzzle

Sam Hofland, 2004

I am a product of Someone’s imagination, and 

I am a tiny piece in a huge puzzle.

I wonder if, in this huge puzzle, I really matter?

I hear the thunder and lightning, and 

I imagine the huge power and glory of God.

I see the endless expanse of our universe and wonder—

do we really matter?

I want to understand this life and universe and 

then I wonder if it really is possible.

I am a product of Someone’s imagination, and 

I am a tiny piece in a huge puzzle.

I pretend to understand but then realize—to understand 

you must forget all the things you think you know.

I feel my beating heart and I wonder at the power and glory of God, 

to have created such a thing so perfect and wonder filled.

I touch the worn bark of an old oak tree, 

and imagine the silent strength and power of that old being, 

and then I touch my frail fingers.

          I am a TINY PIECE in a huge puzzle.

I worry, but should I?  Does it matter?   

In this world does one little thing matter, even in this universe?

I cry for the pain and loss in our world, 

and through it all it seems that so much is going on that 

one little problem doesn’t seem to matter, 

but I know that HE is watching me, 

and HE knows my name.

I am the product of Someone’s imagination, 

and I am a tiny piece in a huge puzzle.

I understand enough or do I?     

Is what you know now ever enough?   

Should it be?

I say my prayers every night, 

even though I am only a tiny piece of a puzzle, 

I know HE has already put it together.

I dream of a day when many more people will understand this.

I try to share but so many think they already understand this.

I hope that HE will not start picking up the pieces and 

put the box away before more people believe this.

I am a product of Someone’s imagination, 

and I am a tiny piece in a huge puzzle.

Jesus said: 

"I am the resurrection 

and the life. 

He who believes in me will live, 

even though 

he dies;

whoever lives 

and believes 

in me will 

never die." 

John 11:25-26 NIV