But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. Genesis 39: 20a

“I have the easier sections done, but there are still a lot of ‘holes’ to fill in,” Pat wrote.  ”As I work on my jigsaw puzzle, I look at all the remaining pieces that seem to make no sense to me. Where do they fit? What order should I follow? I am about ready to put the pieces back in the box and not finish the puzzle.”

Joseph, a young man with lots of talent probably thought many times: “This doesn’t make sense.” His brothers threw him into a cistern and sold him to travelers. He went to work for Potiphar, an Egyptian captain of the guard, and was wrongly accused of improprieties by Potiphar’s wife. Joseph did the “right thing” and fled her advances, but was captured and ended up in jail. He waited three years to be released. No, it just didn’t make sense.

Joseph hung on and we can too. As unpleasant and bizarre as Joseph’s experiences appeared, God never left him. Even though it seemed there were “holes” in Joseph’s life, God was refining his character and preparing him with skills for what would happen thirteen years later. More than anything else, God never took His eyes off of Joseph.

Does this remind you of your life? Have you done the right thing? Is there something that isn’t making sense? Did a friend back out of a business deal when everything seemed to be proceeding on track? Have you worked hard but the savings account doesn’t grow? Have you been a good steward of your health but a diagnosis has blindsided you? Is it hard to see the purposes of what is going on? Are you looking at “holes” and random pieces instead of the pieces that fit?

Don’t put the puzzle pieces back in the box. Pray, seek trusted counsel, and look at the encouragement God’s word offers. Continue to work on the puzzle. A picture will emerge. God hasn’t taken His eyes off of you.

Marilyn Nutter is the author of three devotional books: Dressed up Moms’ Devotions to Go, Tea Lovers’ Devotions to Go, and Diva Delights Devotions to Go. She and her husband are new residents of the Charlotte, NC area. Marilyn enjoys speaking to women’s groups about discovering extraordinary treasures in ordinary days. Her blog, http://grandmothersviews.blogspot.com/ is designed to encourage boomer women to put puzzle pieces together in their new life season. Visit her website at www.marilynnutter.com. Read Marilyn’s devotions

“A lizard can be caught with your hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.” Proverbs 30:28

As a new bride, my husband and I moved to the US Virgin Islands to teach in the public schools. It was a tropical paradise with palm trees, turquoise water and white sandy beaches. Despite those pleasures, I needed to adjust. Our drinking water came from a cistern, so we had to filter it. It took some practice, but I developed an ear for a delightful St. Thomian accent. I learned that you never conducted business or a social conversation unless you began with a “good morning” or “good afternoon.” Those adjustments were relatively easy, but when I found a lizard on my bedroom wall, I shrieked. I didn’t grow up with pets; a dog would have been fine, but a lizard? In the house? “Lizards are good,” my husband said when he rushed into the bedroom in response to my scream. “They eat bugs; they’re friendly creatures.”

Proverbs says that lizards can be found in two places. We can catch them with our hands and they can live in palaces; or, in my case, the wall of our apartment. Lizards are small enough to fit in our hands yet are versatile enough to climb walls, occupy rain forests, and work their way into homes. They’re adaptable creatures. They have a job to do and they make themselves at home.

Growing up in the comfort of my extended family in a city in upstate NY, I never imagined that I would leave and begin my teaching career on an island in the Caribbean. From snowy winters to a tropical island—what a change! When we moved back to the US, my career expanded to employment in college teaching and long-term health care. Each new opportunity took me to a new skill level. I learned new aspects of my profession. I adapted, I changed and I grew.

Never underestimate where God can take you. Perhaps you are allowing fear to trump stepping out for a new opportunity. Perhaps someone has told you that you “can’t do it.” Perhaps you hear the words, “It won’t work.” Whatever challenges you face, look at the example of the lizard. His extremes show us that God made him adaptable and flexible. God can take us to places we can’t even imagine. Won’t you seek after Him and go?

Marilyn Nutter is the author of three devotional books: Dressed up Moms’ Devotions to Go, Tea Lovers’ Devotions to Go, and Diva Delights Devotions to Go. She and her husband are new residents of the Charlotte, NC area. Marilyn enjoys speaking to women’s groups about discovering extraordinary treasures in ordinary days. Visit her website at www.marilynnutter.com. Read Marilyn’s devotions