Created for Connection
Carol Harrison believes that we are created for connection. In this post she reflects on some of the ways that she has experienced this in her life.
How have you experienced a strong connection at work in your life? Contact us! We would love to hear from you.
We Are Created For Connection
Like puzzle pieces connect with each other by putting the bumps into the matching holes and aligning the colours, human beings are created for connection.
If one puzzle piece goes missing by falling on the floor, hiding in folds of clothing or is swept away unnoticed with the dust bunnies and completing the puzzle is impossible. Sometimes the piece is only momentarily misplaced but its absence is noted immediately. One time a puzzle piece fell into the cuff of my dad’s pants. It was found and he finished the puzzle. After that incident the others who put puzzles together with him teased that he might hide one piece so he could always be the one to finish the puzzle.
The effect of one missing puzzle piece is noticeable. Our eyes are drawn to the vacant spot instead of to the entire scene. Oh we attempt to look at the picture as complete but inevitably our eyes roam back to what is missing.
When a Connection is Broken
In the puzzle of our lives, broken connections cause a vacancy – something is missing in our life. It might be a death of a loved one or close friend. This causes a permanent earthly gap to exist. Our minds, our eyes and our memories focus on it. We grieve and the grieving process is different for everyone. We never know what might draw tears from our eyes and hurts to escape our hearts because of the missing piece in our lives.
The summer my father passed away at the age of 92, I felt like an orphan. I missed the daily calls and frequent visits but I did not miss the pain he had experienced and could never wish him back to endure more of that. Memories attached to things I associated with my father came to mind often, sometimes when I least expected it.
Keeping a Promise
I was a speaking at a camp about a month after he passed away. Dad would have wanted me to keep my promise to go and speak. My husband and I agreed it would be good for me to do. It was the first time I had spoken at that camp and I was still emotionally drained, relying on God to get me through each day – but isn’t that what we are supposed to do anyway?
One morning I walked into the dining hall for breakfast and burst into tears. They were serving pancakes for breakfast that morning – one of dad’s favourites. The camp grandma took me under her wing, as did the director’s wife. Tears were okay. They listened to stories, they hugged me and they prayed. At lunch I thought I was doing better until I walked back into the dining hall and found out homemade soup was on the menu – another of dad’s favourites. Tears once again surfaced and I felt the comfort of God as he used these wonderful women to minister to me.
The rest of camp week passed without any more tearful outbursts caused by the menu. I had a wonderful time of sharing God’s love and having it shared with me. I knew beyond a shadow of doubt that new connections had been formed with wise women of God.
Friendship – Created for Connection
Friendship is one of those connections in our lives. It is that special bond, a mutual affection between two people. Sometimes the connection changes due to a move. It does not necessarily mean the connection is totally broken – only changed.
Sometimes a connection is lost, a piece is missing because another person no longer shows up in your life, in church, at work or at school – wherever you may be. Have you ever noticed when someone does not show up at church anymore but you know they haven’t moved away? Maybe they take up space in a pew Sunday morning but choose not to do anything else – especially someone who used to be involved. Our eyes are drawn to what is missing, who is missing, and what connections are in need of strengthening. These broken connections may be temporary and caused by many things.
God’s Gifts to Believers
The Bible talks about the gifts God gives us as believers. Believers are one body – all connected but having different parts – different abilities and gifts. Romans 12:4-6 says,
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us.”
We need every part of our body to work or we notice it. I have broken my little toe – badly broken it and I sure noticed the pain, the change in my gait and yet it is such a little part of my body. In the same way we need each other as believers. Each person has a gift and when we all use it, the body – the church – works together in harmony and purpose that lines up with Christ’s example. When someone is missing, moves, dies or chooses to no longer participate they are missed.
I Am Not Good Enough
We moved to a small community and began attending a little church. On a given Sunday morning there might be sixty people. No one could sit back and do nothing, hoping someone else would fill their spot. The first Sunday I was asked if I played piano. My answer – for myself but never in church – I am not good enough.
The next Sunday the pianist was going to be away on holidays. If I didn’t play, with my limited abilities, the pastor would have to play the piano while he led the singing and then preach the sermon. I did not think that was fair so I played the piano that Sunday and filled a pressing need. I ended up playing often when the main pianist – the only one other than the pastor, moved away because of work. It was not what I thought of as my gifted area. It had never been on my bucket list of things I just really hoped someone would ask me to do at church but God gave me what I needed to fill the hole and help make the picture complete – music to worship God with.
Created for Connection with Believers and With God
Connection is important, with friends and family, with other believers and especially with God. We can’t force a puzzle piece into the wrong hole and expect it to fit and look correct. In the same way, we can’t manipulate someone into being our friend, taking on a role that they don’t think they are ready for or connecting on a deeper level before they are ready.
Who do you connect with? How do you take time in your day and your life to connect with God and with others? Let’s remember that when we are missing it will be noticed. We are important to God and to those he puts in our lives.
Carol Harrison
Listen to Carol’s program Puzzle Pieces Of Life.
Carol Harrison B.Ed is a speaker and published author with one book, Amee’s Story and stories in twelve anthologies. She is passionate about helping people of all ages and ability levels find their voice and reach their fullest potential.
She knows, through personal experience that some of life’s experiences are tougher than others. She encourages people that even in the twists and turns of life God’s amazing grace provides hope. She lives in Saskatoon, SK with her husband Brian. They have four adult children and a dozen grandchildren.
Visit Carol’s website carolscorner.ca
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Treasured Friendship – Are You Active in the Christian Community?
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Brad Hewey – Grace Outpoured
Christie Thomas – Introverts in the Church
David Town – Compassion
Images Credits
Group of People – ernestoeslava
People on Bench – pasja1000
Church – scholty1970
Foot – lim_bau
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