The Pieces of the Jigsaw – Part 2
When the Picture Began to Appear
"You did not choose me, but I chose you..."
John 15:16
In the first part of Elaine's story, we followed the many seemingly unrelated moments that God used to prepare her heart. A faithful work colleague, Christians she met during her travels, and a simple prayer in a small church in New Zealand all became pieces of a picture she would only understand years later.
Returning home, life continued much as it always had. Yet although the years passed, the questions that God had gently planted in Elaine's heart had never completely disappeared. Looking back now, she can see that He was still at work, patiently drawing her towards Himself.
An Invitation That Waited
One of the next pieces of the jigsaw came through another friendship. Elaine became friends with Pat, who attended Redcar Baptist Church. Before long, Pat invited her to come along to a service. Elaine wanted to go and she agreed that she would, but, like so many good intentions, the invitation was quietly put to one side. Days became weeks, and weeks became months.
Then, on Mother's Day in 1987, something happened that Elaine has never forgotten. She had been thinking that she really ought to telephone Pat and tell her she was finally ready to come to church. Before she had the chance, there was a knock at the door. Standing there was Pat, holding a bunch of daffodils.
Looking back, Elaine sees God's gentle timing in that moment. There was nothing dramatic about it, yet it was exactly the encouragement she needed to take the next step.
The following Sunday, Palm Sunday, Elaine walked through the doors of Redcar Baptist Church.
Discovering Jesus
From the very beginning, something felt different. The welcome was warm, the people were genuine, and the message she heard week after week began to answer questions she had carried for years.
The stories of Jesus that had once seemed distant gradually became personal. As Holy Week unfolded, Elaine listened carefully as the events leading to Jesus' death and resurrection were explained. She found herself wanting to learn more, returning each week with an eagerness she had never expected.
Looking back, she realises that this wasn't simply curiosity. God was opening her heart to understand the gospel.
A Simple Prayer
One evening, someone asked Elaine a question that she couldn't easily dismiss.
Did she know Jesus personally?
It was a question that stayed with her long after she returned home. That night, Elaine knelt beside her bed and prayed, asking Jesus to reveal Himself and to come into her life. She remembers the moment with characteristic humour.
"I even opened one eye to see if anything had happened."
Nothing around her appeared any different. But something within her had changed. Although she couldn't explain it fully at the time, Elaine knew she had taken a step of faith that would shape the rest of her life.
When Everything Became Personal
As Elaine continued attending church, there was one particular service that left a lasting impression. During Communion, as the congregation reflected on Jesus' death, something she had heard many times before suddenly became deeply personal. This was no longer simply the story of what Jesus had done for the world. It was the story of what He had done for her.
The cross was no longer a historical event. It was an expression of God's love and grace, offered personally to her. Looking back, Elaine sees this as one of the moments when the many pieces of her journey finally began to fit together.
As she writes:
"During our travels we met various people who were Christians. It didn't mean anything to me at the time, but now, when I look back, I can see it was like a jigsaw puzzle being put together."
The friendship with Betty; The first attempt to read the Bible; The Christians she had met while travelling; The prayer in the little church in New Zealand; Pat's invitation. None of those moments had seemed connected when they happened but now she could see that God had been patiently leading her towards Jesus all along.
A New Beginning
Not long afterwards, Elaine was baptised, publicly declaring the faith she had come to embrace. Baptism was not the end of her journey; it was the beginning of a new life with Christ. Like every Christian, Elaine would still face seasons of joy and seasons of sorrow. Following Jesus did not remove the challenges of life. What it did give her was the assurance that she would never face those challenges alone.
Looking back today, Elaine sees that God's faithfulness was never limited to the moment she became a Christian. He had been faithful before she recognised Him, faithful as she came to know Him, and faithful in every chapter that followed.
The picture was becoming clearer - The God who had patiently placed each piece of the jigsaw together was now the One she had come to know and trust.
To be continued...
In the final part of Elaine's story, her faith is tested through some of life's deepest sorrows. Yet it is there, in the hardest seasons, that she discovers more profoundly than ever that God's faithfulness does not depend on an easy life, but on His unchanging presence.
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank You that You patiently draw people to Yourself, often in ways we only understand when we look back. Thank You for every person who has shared Your love with others through simple acts of kindness, faithful friendship and quiet obedience.
Thank You that Jesus invites each of us into a relationship with Him. Help us to respond with open hearts, trusting Your grace and discovering the peace that only You can give.
For those who are still searching, we pray that You would continue to reveal Yourself with gentleness and love. Give us the courage to take the next step of faith, wherever we may be on our journey, and help us to follow You with confidence, knowing that You are always faithful.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
