12/28/2017 0 Comments PuzzlesOver the holidays, my family put together a jigsaw puzzle. It’s a Christmas tradition. By tradition, I mean “something we did in my family of origin every year”; and by family, I mean “me and one or two of the kids occasionally helping”. In other words, I put together a massive Christmas puzzle this year while my family ignored my obsession.
While I was struggling through the 1000-piece impossibility I had spread on the table in front of me, I thought about all the parodies in life that can be drawn from assembling a puzzle. I was overcome with bursts of inspiration and profound thoughts that mirrored life so well. Of course, I couldn’t wait to share these tid-bits of wisdom with both of my dedicated followers in the blog world. But when I sat down to write these kernels-of-knowledge one thought occurred to me: really?! Who cares about another metaphor about life? I’m quite sure that everyone can draw the same sage secrets from puzzle assembly that I can. Do I really think I am the only one shrewd enough to see how life is like a giant puzzle and we don’t always see how the pieces fit together? So many life truths to be drawn from a jigsaw puzzle, but definitely not something people really want to read about in a blog post. Also, my lonely efforts to fashion Santa from the interlocking pieces helped me to reflect more on my own thoughts than an esoteric euphemism of life. If you want a meaningful metaphor, do a puzzle! I had a difficult time focusing on the work before me this year. My mind wandered down endless paths of regrets, resolve, and what-ifs. I was having a personally philosophic moment in the middle of my home disguised as the fun of putting together a puzzle. No one interrupted my train of thought because no one was interested in helping. I think I finally found the key to peace in the chaos. When I read, people try to start a conversation. When I write, family begs for attention. When I meditate, the kids clamor at the door to be noticed. But break out a giant cat puzzle, and they act like they are as allergic to the picture on the puzzle as they claim to be in real life. I finally found the key a moment of solitude in a crowded house! Of the many things I pondered while I was struggling through this year’s masterpiece, my ostrich like ability to ignore things that need to be handled was the most pressing thought. God really laid it on my heart that my method of crises Intervention, pretending nothing is wrong, is ridiculously childish. Moving from crisis to crisis may be the way I have done things in the past, but I don’t think it is the best way to handle things going forward. Ignoring a bill or obligation doesn’t make it go away. Postponing a hard talk with a loved one doesn’t change the situation. Leaving things to the last minute doesn’t produce good work. Sticking my head in the sand and praying for a better outcome without confronting the behavior changes very little. My children are wonderful, loving, flawed, and struggling people. As adults, my influence on them in their lives is waning; but I have to believe it’s not too late. I see the crippling effects of generational sin creeping into the lives of my children. They are vigorously embracing the roles of a moderately dysfunctional family: The Golden Child, the scape-goat, the loner, and the mascot. Roles they were never meant to fill. Just like staying in shape is easier than getting back in shape, teaching good behaviors in the beginning is easier than correcting bad habits in young adults. It’s very difficult to unteach something to your kids, and it’s impossible when I am playing ostrich. 2018 is a few days away, I am so grateful that God has placed the word of discernment in my heart for the coming year. I need it with my finances, my marriage, and mostly my children. Ignoring what is wrong hasn’t worked in the past, I think intervention with a healthy dose of discernment is a necessary element in the coming year. My prayer for the coming year is discernment and wisdom in all aspects of my life and forthrightness when dealing with the storms I see brewing on the horizon. My family deserves it. The clumsy ostrich costume is coming off, no more hiding from troubles just courageous boldness with Christ leading the way. Interventions can be uncomfortable, but also the start of what’s necessary.
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AuthorI am a Christian, a wife, a mom, and a part-time basket case who wants to be a full time writer.
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