i will never forget the first time i met gina. i don’t think i even caught a good look at her face. i was visiting the okc campus over the summer, meeting some people, and this lady comes up to me, gives me a big fat hug, and says something along the lines of, “hi anne i’m gina i’m so glad you’re here and that we can finally meet how was your trip are you having fun i hate to run but i have a kazillion kids i need to show jesus to see you later i’ll email you sometime bye!”
whoosh. she was gone.
gina is the lifekids director at the okc campus. she LOVES kids. passionately. she was kind enough to do a guest blog for flowerdust, but if you really want a good look into her heart, read here.
gina writes,
I like puzzles.
Mostly the small ones. 150 pieces or less. None of those funky 3D ones that require a set of blueprints and permits to construct.
The process of connecting the individual pieces to create the bigger picture engages me. You begin with a few pieces that fit together. The picture they create may not make sense. But as you add to it, one piece at a time? it starts to click.
I’m in the midst of a puzzle right now. I have a glimpse of the bigger picture. I’ve got an idea of the end product. But right now I only have a few pieces. Though these pieces fit together, the picture they create doesn’t make sense. It’s clearly incomplete.
In my anxiousness, I want to go in search of the additional pieces I need to complete the picture. But I can’t do that. I’ve got too many battle scars from stupid moves like that. Experience reminds me that this isn’t my picture I’m attempting to piece together. But rather I’m just one of the pieces that fit within a picture God is creating.
Where are you? Attempting to put the puzzle together yourself? or patiently waiting for the Creator of the puzzle to put you in place?
Comments
10 responses to “Blogging Ventriloquist – Gina McClain”
Very interesting Gina. If we could all see the bigger picture, that would definitely be the answer! I must share this: I had a devout lady mentor friend, (her husband was a Corporate Attorney) confidante (very loyal), etc….she passed on to glory at the age of 86…when she retired at 70 years, she had me go to the Newstands and get her tons of puzzle books, picture 1,000 puzzles, word-find, etc.) Those puzzles kept her brilliant and she always said “I must keep my brain in gear.”
Thanks for the reminder: It’s the bigger picture we all need!
my husband and i recently picked up “puzzling” (not the adjective, the verb)… but we like a bit of a challenge. and target has some cool puzzles. not the granny kind like most people grab.
anyway. as for my life. well, i’m still trying to figure out what all the pieces are! so i can’t do much “putting the pieces together” right now.
i’m trying to leave that for the Guy Holding the Jig Saw.
Both…I am a child with my Parent (God) helping me put the pieces together. Sometimes the pieces don’t fit…sometimes I have them turned upside down… but he is always there helping me put it all in the right Place!
waiting..what may be unusual is that lately i have been getting the sense i might be in a too-patient mode. that is, not enough bias to action.
thanks for the stirring, gina.
that is a great thought. i think most times i am putting the puzzle together, but i want to be a piece in the big puzzle.
that is challenging to remind me that i need to not try and let God put the puzzle together.
Gina! How amazing! This really speaks to me… I’m also trusting God and walking in FAITH as the puzzle of my life is put together… what a wild ride… thank you for the reminder!
I am gratefully patiently waiting for my Father to put me where he wants me. It has taken a long time for me to stop and wait. I use to tell my mom that if I wanted patience I would have become a doctor. Great post thank you!
i know Gina McClain!
Hey Carol, I know what you mean. However, I just spent the last hour putting together Strawberry Shortcake puzzles with my daughter. Not sure how sharp that will keep me. :)
I appreciate all the comments, folks. Patience isn’t typically my strong suit.
Aaron, I know John Otjen. ha!
I’m with you Gina. I personally like the ‘connect the dots’ puzzles (they have books of the most elaborate puzzles with up to 500 number dots and 500 alphabet dots)which require patience and painstaking precision if you want the true picture to emerge. Great concept.