Mosaic (Jun 20)

Amber Thiessen
Jun 20
2 min read

"I will give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever." —Psalm 86:12

Michael Reeves writes, “In humble, happy Christians, the glory of God is echoed back to him in gratitude.” That phrase has lingered in my mind this week. Echoed back in gratitude.

So I made a list.

Jet lag wasn’t as intense as I feared (though working a 12-hour shift soon after was still a stretch).
A pile of fresh strawberries from a kind neighbour.
Nine years with my littlest—and a rowdy, joy-filled pool party with her friends.
Evening walks that help reset a weary soul.
A one-week countdown until we can finally say, “It’s summer!”
A car fire during the high school graduation parade that, by God’s grace, harmed no one—and watching the firefighters work from a safe distance.
Tender vulnerability shared in quiet conversation at the baseball bleachers.
The faithful, steady mercy of God in my life—new every morning.
Her bright smile when an appointment was rescheduled, freeing her up for fun, end of school activities.

Maybe you need to make a list too. Not because everything is perfect, but because God’s glory is worthy of being echoed back in thanks—right in the middle of real life.

What simple gifts this week have turned your heart back to Him in gratitude?

Articles

Master Your Moments and Master Your Days | Tim Challies

The swirl of success and accomplishments may distract us, but this article offers a timely reminder to shift our focus. God cares more about who we’re becoming than what we’re achieving. As Tim puts it, “Great deeds done from bad motives please God less than small deeds done from great character.” A helpful encouragement to embrace the daily, often unseen moments that shape our hearts and habits.

Three Gifts We Are Guaranteed in Prayer | Brianna Lambert (GCD)

Maybe, like Brianna, you grew up thinking of God’s answers to prayer as “yes, no, or wait.” But how has that shaped how you pray? In this article, she invites us to consider the deeper purpose of prayer—and the guaranteed blessings we receive when we come to God.

Know Your (Teenage) Child's Frame | Cara Ray (Desiring God)

My kiddos are entering these teenage years, so this was a helpful encouragement to consider the compassion of Christ in light of how I interact with them.

Being the Best Christian | Meredith Beatty

"There once was a girl who wanted to be the best." "This opening line stopped me—it felt like it could’ve been written about me. This article traces how, by God’s grace, He lovingly prunes our self-reliance and leads us into the freedom found in the gospel. In Christ alone, we find our identity and are united to Him.

How Do I 'Give Glory' to God? | David Mathis (Desiring God)

You’ve probably heard this phrase—but have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means? This article unpacks what it’s not, and highlights three clear ways Scripture shows us how to live it out.