A Broken Cup, a Chewed Puzzle, and Two Lessons I’m Carrying into the New Year

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I am always amazed by how much we can learn from children. As educators, we are so often the ones doing the explaining, guiding, and teaching. Nevertheless, if we pay close attention, we will discover that some of the most important lessons come not from our training but from the children we serve daily.

Sweet Ellie. Age 7

I was reminded of this truth over the holidays when my granddaughters came to visit for a couple of weeks. I treasure every moment I have with them, especially since they now live so far away. I will refrain from saying too much about how hard that distance is. Suffice to say, my heart feels every mile. During their visit, I learned a couple of lessons from my youngest granddaughter, Ellie, a bouncy, joyful seven-year-old overflowing with wonder and positivity.

Lesson One: A Broken Cup

As a family, we went to a Thai restaurant to get a break from holiday leftovers. Since Ellie was a child, the server brought her drink in a Styrofoam cup rather than a standard glass. Somewhere along the way, she squeezed it just hard enough to cause a large hole to open in the side. There was a little water left in the cup, so the mess was minimal.

No one was upset. Her parents didn’t rush to fix it or scold her. They simply let it be. Ellie wasn’t bothered in the least. Instead, I watched as she took that damaged cup and began to create something with it. To be honest, I still don’t know exactly what it was meant to be. What I do know is that she was determined to make something good out of what could have been labeled a mistake.

She carried her little Styrofoam creation home and gave it a place of honor, a spot where it could be preserved and enjoyed by all. If you haven’t figured it out yet, Ellie is a bit of a free spirit. I’m so thankful she has two parents who love her unconditionally, who see mistakes as opportunities to teach and to guide.

I found myself quietly wondering how often I respond differently when something goes wrong because of my actions. Do I see an opportunity for a loving God to create something new, or do I dismiss it too quickly? Am I guilty of throwing the proverbial Styrofoam cup in the trash, never considering that something precious might still come from it?

Scripture reminds us that God is our Redeemer. He does not waste what we are quick to discard. He is able to bring beauty from what feels damaged or incomplete. If you need a shot in the arm like I often do, stop and read Romans 8. These encouraging words by Paul assure us that God is not surprised by our struggles or our mistakes. Through Christ, we are freed from condemnation and redeemed for a purpose. Nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from His love.

Lesson Two: A Chewed Puzzle

The second lesson came through a puzzle. My granddaughters received a set of intricate wooden puzzles. They were beautifully made with unusual shapes and pieces that didn’t fit together in predictable ways. Some pieces aligned easily. Others could fit in more than one place, and if you weren’t careful, you could force a piece into the wrong space that would throw everything off. The puzzles were doable, but they were not easy.

We were having fun working on them when our youngest daughter, Samantha, made an unfortunate discovery. Their dog had gotten hold of one puzzle piece and chewed it into five tiny fragments. She opened her hand to reveal the broken pieces. Ellie took one look, and with an exuberant, almost excited voice, said, “Oh well! That will just make it a little more challenging!” Not frustrated. Not defeated. Almost delighted. It was as if she were saying, “Oh boy! This is going to be fun!”  (Easy for her to say; it was likely going to be me who had to figure out how to make it all work.)

Her response lingered with me long after the moment passed. It was clear she was operating from an “anticipatory” mindset, not one of dread. How many times do our days, our weeks, our semesters feel like that puzzle piece—chewed up, broken, and nothing like we expected? We labor hard to create a scenario or vision, anticipating how everything is going to work, only to discover that it isn’t going to happen that way.

The completed puzzle!

Oh, how I want my default response to be like Ellie’s—not defeated, not forced optimism, but hopeful, expectant trust. I want an attitude that believes this may be harder than I planned, but God is still at work here.

Here is the most beautiful part of the story. When the puzzle was finished, it was stunning. Even with the five broken fragments pieced together, you couldn’t tell if anything had been damaged. What was once chewed up became part of something whole and beautiful.

What I Am Carrying with Me

As Christian educators, we know the challenges are real. Education can feel heavy, complicated, and exhausting, but Scripture (Colossians 1:16-17) reminds us of a steady truth. Christ created all things, He is present, and He holds all things together. Because of that, when we make mistakes, He can still help us put the pieces back together. He can turn that which is broken into something even more beautiful and more creative than we can imagine. When circumstances feel chewed up and spit back at us, He is still able to redeem every fragment for His purposes and His plan.

God is always teaching us, often through the simplest moments. My prayer for you is that you will have open hearts, open minds, and open eyes to notice where He is at work. May you see possibilities where others see mistakes. May you trust Him when the pieces don’t fit as planned. May the Holy Spirit use even ordinary moments to remind you that you are held, known, and deeply loved.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together[m] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28

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