July 8, 2026
Funny how life fits together sometimes isn’t it? Earlier this week I was emailed the poem “Picture Puzzle Piece” by Shel Silverstein…it really struck me on how deeply we can relate to being only one person in a world full of so many different players and parts that pull together ONE big picture. We have the tendency to feel that our place may not be significant or that we do not play a major role each moment on this planet. However, what we need to understand is that without one single “Picture Puzzle Piece”, our day cannot be fulfilled, and the canvas will forever be incomplete.
With one piece we are given HOPE, with one piece we find ELATION in completing the task at hand amongst a sea of unrecognizable pieces. All pieces have their designated spot and if we try to place it in the wrong location, we are reminded that it has its own place because it was given a unique shape. We are no different when we try to fit ourselves into being what we are not, or when we try to walk away from the opportunities that are in front of us.
God is like us, or I should say we are like God, in how we can relate to putting together a puzzle. Imagine that you spend countless hours working on a puzzle only to miss one piece and have an unfinished project; God’s plan is no different. Additionally, the bigger the task or adversity, the more pieces (or people) God needs to illustrate the point. God doesn’t just look at us as an insignificant background or the eyelash to the Mona Lisa, to Him we are precious and vital to His work. We are the detail to a bigger image that when He fits us in, the masterpiece is revealed, and people are in awe of the finished product. Imagine that 5,000-piece puzzle complete minus 1 piece… that is a lot of time invested to not feel TOTAL accomplishment.
In this poem we find out the “Picture Puzzle Piece” is not only lost but it is ‘Soakin in the rain’ making its condition undesirable. However, no matter the condition you are in, just like that puzzle piece you have your place. You can bring joy to a child, pass the time of the aging or even help provide therapy to the soul of someone who is using their “craft” to heal themselves. Never forget, that the tattered piece of the puzzle has character and there is a story to go with it. No one asks about the shiny new pieces, it’s the one they look at and say “What happened here?” and the story of how it got that way makes it unique. Our lives are the same way, we live out a story and deal with struggle, triumph, fear, joy and excitement so that we have a life example that others will connect with.
When you feel like what you do doesn’t matter or there is not a reason you are doing what you are for others, be reminded of what you might mean to someone else who is looking for you to complete THEIR picture. We are not exactly sure of the role that we play but I can assure you that no matter where you come in, it is a vital part of God’s plan. You are you and no matter your condition or where you are at, you are beautiful to the One who created you and you are a necessary “Picture Puzzle Piece”. “Nothing has more possibilities than one old wet picture puzzle piece.”
“Picture Puzzle Piece”
by Shel Silverstein
One picture puzzle piece
Lyin’ on the sidewalk,
One picture puzzle piece
Soakin’ in the rain.
It might be a button of blue
On the coat of the woman
Who lived in a shoe.
It might be a magical bean,
Or a fold in the red
Velvet robe of a queen.
It might be the one little bite
Of the apple her stepmother
Gave to Snow White.
It might be the veil of a bride
Or a bottle with some evil genie inside.
It might be a small tuft of hair
On the big bouncy belly
Of Bobo the Bear.
It might be a bit of the cloak
Of the Witch of the West
As she melted to smoke.
It might be a shadowy trace
Of a tear that runs down an angel’s face.
Nothing has more possibilities
Than one old wet picture puzzle piece.
Posted by Greg Wasinski
