Marcie jumped at the sound of the doorbell. Jenna was here! She raced to the door and threw her arms around her younger sister. “I’m so glad you’re here! It’s been far too long.”

Jenna set her suitcase on the hallway floor and returned her sister’s hug. “It has. I can’t wait to get some sisterly counsel.”

Marcie stepped back, eyebrows raised. “Oh? What’s going on?”

Jenna laughed. “Let me at least get settled before I unload all my life’s challenges.”

“Fair. Come on, I’ll show you to your room, and then you can join me at the kitchen table. I made your favorite cookies.”

Jenna’s grin stretched across her face. “Just like Mom used to make?”

“That’s right.”

Ten minutes later, Marcie and Jenna sat at the kitchen table with tall glasses of milk and a pile of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies between them. Marcie couldn’t wait any longer. “So what did you want to talk about?”

Jenna finished chewing her bite of cookie, took a swallow of milk, and set down the glass. “You don’t waste any time, do you?”

Marcie grinned. “It’s not often someone asks me for advice, so I’m ready.”

Jenna wiped her mouth with a napkin and took a deep breath. “I’m struggling with finding God’s will for my life. Now that I’m an empty nester and Martin is gone, I’m not sure what to do. Part of me wants to move, but I don’t know where. I don’t want to take care of that big house all alone. I feel called in so many different directions.”

Marcie nodded. “Tell me about the different directions.”

“Well, I love teaching Sunday school and ministering to the children. I also really feel called to the science field. You know I worked in a lab before I had the kids. I miss doing that. I also love to do arts and crafts. Maybe part of that is because I’m not working in the lab anymore. I love the creative process. Now that my kids are grown, I have all this time, but I have no idea what direction to go in. Should I do ministry with children, go back to the lab, or work in an artistic field? Every time I envision moving in one of those directions, I feel sad about giving up the other things. I’m not sure what to do.”

Marcie beamed at Jenna as inspiration struck. “I know exactly what you should do.”

Jenna’s face lit. “You do? What?”

“Did you ever do the connections puzzle?”

Jenna’s brows drew together. “What are you talking about?”

Marcie pulled out her phone. “It’s a puzzle that comes out every day. There are sixteen words that seem unrelated, but they’re actually four sets of four related words. In order to solve the puzzle, you need to put the words into the right categories. You need to figure out the connections. I do it every day. It keeps my brain sharp.”

Jenna folded her arms across her chest. “I’m not sure what this has to do with me.”

“It has everything to do with you. Be patient.” Marcie took a sip of milk before continuing. “Sometimes it’s easy to find the connection, but sometimes you have to look harder to find the unifying theme. It’s similar to the way we need to see God’s hand in our lives. God gave you gifts and brought you to this season of life. Your gifts might seem like they’re not connected, but they absolutely are.”

Jenna straightened. “How is teaching kids, doing science, and crafts, all connected? And what does that have to do with me figuring out where I should live?”

Marcie grabbed her sister’s hand. “The school associated with our church has been searching for a new fourth grade teacher. You’d be absolutely perfect. You’d be teaching kids in a Christian school, and as part of the curriculum, you’d do science experiments and as many crafts as you’d like.”

Jenna stared at her. “Are you serious?”

Marcie grinned. “Completely. And you could stay here with me until you find a place of your own. I’d love to have you nearby.”

Jenna’s hand flew to her mouth. “It sounds too good to be true. Where do I apply?”

Hebrews 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

God, we can’t always see how the pieces fit together in our lives, but You created us with unique skills and abilities. You know exactly what You have planned for us. Help us to be open to Your will for our lives. Being in Your will is the surest way to find perfect peace. Thank You for caring enough about us to have a plan for us, and thank You for making us all unique. In Jesus’ name, Amen.