People I meet remind me of jigsaw puzzle pieces.
Some people have a gaping hole in them. They feel empty and alone. This void is not easy to see. It is even harder to fill. A casual passer-by will not see the depth of loneliness within this puzzle piece. They might see a small chink in the puzzle person's armor. However, the puzzle person keeps her guard up high enough prevent anyone from getting too close-- arm's length is plenty close enough. Arm's length is within striking distance of the heart and thus is too dangerous.
Other people are reaching out, hoping to catch hold of something good and safe and real. They desperately grasp at anything, anyone. Nothing works. The contact is superficial, brief, temporary. Bonds are easily broken. They do not latch on to anything or anyone. You can see them with outstretched arms, desperately wanting to be held fast by another only to see them slip away again and again when no one draws them in.
Sadly, neither puzzle person can see their help-meet, their partner, their complement is there beside them. Right there! They may try. Clumsily, awkwardly fumbling, spinning around, they attempt to connect with one another. Frustration clouds perception. Despair is ever present. Hope is not within them any longer.
Bonding with another is not made by casual contact. It requires effort. Puzzle people cannot shuffle about and think they will just miraculously, magically connect with their match. Puzzles (and people) don't come together that easily. Study and see commonalities-- real ones! Find the same bedrock values, then match the details. Even now a match is not guaranteed. The next step requires more effort than you have expended before. You must move. Pick yourself up. Try.
You must pick yourself UP. Move. Try. If it fits, it fits. If not, do not force it. Listen to God.
He sees things that we, as incomplete puzzle pieces, cannot comprehend while shuffling about.
