Evie

Last night, a friend of mine passed away. She wasn't a close friend, but someone I've known for years. Actually, we used to sing on the same worship team at church several years ago. My, what a voice! Evie kinda kept to herself, which initially led me to believe that she was a bit of a snob. I didn't care for her much when I first met her...though I certainly respected and appreciated her talents. Sad how we can so easily judge a person based on so little information. Then, a little over three years ago, I started working for Compassion International. To my surprise, I saw Evie working here too. We shared the same passion for ministering to children in poverty...and I never even knew it! It wasn't too long ago that I heard Evie was diagnosed with cancer. Co-workers pitched in money to help with meals, medical bills, etc. We even sent the family to a Disney on Ice show. She has four kids. At our recent divisional picnic, Evie was there. I sat just about five feet from her. We looked at each other and smiled...but I couldn't bring myself to say anything. I don't think we needed any words that day. Though, in retrospect, I wish I would have said something. I wish I would have completely ignored the obvious and just said "hello." I've never been good at dealing with death or dying. Which is odd, because I've seen a lot of it in my life. Last night, Evie said goodbye to this world...and hello to her Maker. I pray that God will ease the pain her family must be going through today. I pray for her husband and children. In many ways, I envy her. At this very moment, she knows what it's like to bow in the presence of her Heavenly Father. She can hear the angels singing...worshipping God. And I'm sure she's singing along. My...what a voice.

Jigsaw

Carrie married the wrong man. But because she puts tradition before her own personal happiness, she's been with him for more than 15 years. She stays for the kids. If you asked her, she'd say she missed out on "true love."

Ryan had a demanding father. He spent most of his life trying to prove himself...moving up the corporate ladder. Now, at age 45, he realizes that he forgot to have fun along the way. He's not even sure if he's capable of it. He's missing joy.

Peter's life has been in turmoil since he was born. Abusive foster parents, pent up anger, an uncontrollable temper. He's never held a job for more than a year, been evicted from two different apartments and has never been able to maintain a healthy relationship. He's missing peace.

We are all jigsaw puzzles, I suppose, with a piece or two missing. How frustrating to at least have an idea of what the finished product would look like, if only you could find that missing piece.

I suppose this is where I'm supposed to get all spiritual and tell you that you can only find that missing piece through Christ. Well, sorta. I believe you can find those things through accepting Jesus as Savior, but I'm not so sure you'll complete the puzzle here on this planet. Maybe that wholeness doesn't come til we're walking barefoot on million-dollar streets. The Bible says there's no weeping there. No death. No pain. No sorrow. Maybe our missing piece is somewhere on the other side of those gates. Perhaps we'll have to go swimming for it in a crystal stream...or scale a jeweled wall to find it.

But oh, what love...joy...peace...we'll find when we finally stick that last piece of the puzzle in there! What satisfaction!

What piece are you missing?