Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: PUZZLE (05/28/20)
-
TITLE: The Missing Piece (2) | Previous Challenge Entry
By Donna Powers
06/04/20 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
I’d like to tell you a story. I have to admit I almost gave up on being a coach, during my first season. But, I didn’t. And that’s because God spoke to me through a purple flower.
My first coaching assignment was a community softball team. They were a great bunch of kids, and I really enjoyed working with them. But there was one kid who just couldn’t get the hang of the game.
His name was Bryan. He was a friendly kid, and the whole team loved him. But, as much as I liked him; Bryan just wasn’t a skilled player. He dropped every ball; he couldn’t bat well, and he ran about as quickly as a sloth. I became increasingly frustrated with him as the season progressed.
I tried working with him after practice. It didn't help his game, but I came to admire his persistence in trying.
Near the end of the season, I learned we might have a chance at the league championship. It was so exciting. I wanted that title SO much!
I’m ashamed to admit I let my ambition cloud my judgment and asked Bryan to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the season. He looked a little hurt but said he would do whatever was best for the team. My conscience stabbed me at every game, but as the team’s point average shot upward and our Championship chances kept getting better, I told myself I’d done the best thing for the team.
But, after a few games, I began to realize the team morale was slowly sinking. Despite our improved score, the joyous spirit which had been such a part of our games seemed to have evaporated. I wrote it off to nerves; to schoolwork; to anything I could think of, to distract myself from the explanation I knew.
One afternoon at home, I walked into the living room and found my younger sister crying. I asked her why she was upset. She pointed to a large jigsaw puzzle, which depicted a beautiful purple flower. I quickly saw the cause of Kitty’s tears: it was missing a piece, in the upper right-hand corner.
“I can’t find it, Sam,” she sobbed. “I’ve looked everywhere.”
So I helped Kitty search the area around the table. When I found the missing piece, an hour later, under the sofa, I marveled at how this little piece of purple post-board - which, by itself, looked completely insignificant- made such a difference for the puzzle.
And that’s when God helped me see: just as Kitty needed every individual piece to make her puzzled look as it was intended to look, our team needed every member God had sent; to be what God intended our team to be.
We came in third that year, but I don’t think any of us would have been happier with first place - if it had meant continuing without Bryan. Bryan may not have been a purple puzzle piece, but he completed our team in ways we never could have imagined.
Thank you again for this honor. I pray all of you find whatever puzzle piece may be missing in your life.
***********************************
"But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it." 1 Corinthians 12:18
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
