Saturday, January 21, 2012

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