Mosaic (Mar 13)

Amber Thiessen
23 minutes ago
5 min read

There’s nothing more frustrating for my pre-teen son than when I remind him of things.

“Don’t forget to…”

“Mom, I know, I will, you already told me.”

“Did you… ”

“Yeah Mom, I told you I did.”

“What about (x), did you do that?”

(sigh/groan) ”Yes I did.’

His adolescent desire for maturity, to know all the things, and be capable and responsible is pretty heavy. And, to be fair, I’ve likely already reminded him two or three times, which might be the source of his annoyance. But, (to justify my repetitive mothering tendencies) mornings are busy with everyone going in different directions, so I try to make sure we’re all on track.

I find a similar frustration with myself at times.

Study my Bible, reading a Christian living book, or listening to a sermon, the Holy Spirit reveals truth that presses deep conviction. My perspective shifts and I experience that “aha” moment when grace rushes over me, seeing my heart and circumstances in a new light.

This is a wonderful and beautiful gift from God. He prompts us toward Him, leading us to confession and repentance. Our thinking changes, realizing His nearness with the next steps of obedience clear before us.

I savour that moment with gratitude for how the truth sinks from my head to my heart.

Until my inner voice of judgement interrupts the sweetness, critiquing my ignorance of how this simple truth I’ve known all along, but either struggled to, or didn’t think to, apply to my circumstances.

“I should’ve known that.”

“I shouldn’t need all these reminders.”

I see this lately as I reflect on truths about joy, meditating on how fullness of joy is found in the Lord’s presence. A simple truth, that’s profoundly meaningful.

Again in reading a book on marriage, I’m reminded once again that the purpose of marriage isn’t for my personal satisfaction, it’s for serving God. Sure, I knew that, but it's game-changing when met with my day-to-day.

Okay, even the weather. It’s been above freezing, the fields polka dots with black dirt poking out between patches of melted snow. But, now we’re getting a dump of snow and a good dose of -20C weather again. Remembering, once again, this is March in Manitoba. It always has been. Another reminder.

Frustration results from my forgetfulness.

Or, more accurately, from my perfectionist expectations that I shouldn’t forget.

My perfectionist mindset is truly a puzzle to me. It’s clearly evident we’re a sinful, inattentive people, prone to forgetting the goodness and grace of God. From Adam & Eve in the garden, to the wandering nation of Israel, “You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you, And you forgot the God who gave you birth” (Deut. 32:18).

Ronni Kurtz describes humanity this way, "We are the kind of people with the mental capacity to remember an avalanche of anxiety, but we have intellectual amnesia when it comes to recalling God’s faithfulness." (Fruitful Theology)

We’re easily distracted with self and situations and desperately need both the gentle and firm prodding back toward the path of grace. This is why Scripture is laced with instructions to “remember” and “don’t forget.” This is also why God gives us His Word, that we can always return to find nourishment and counsel in Him, our Daily Bread and Living Water.

And what’s more, is that we have a “Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

He reminds us of truth.

Because we need reminders.

Jerry Bridges reminds us, "We need to continue to hear the gospel every day of our Christian lives. Only a continuous reminder of the gospel of God’s grace through Christ will keep us from falling into good-day–bad-day thinking, wherein we think our daily relationship with God is based on how good we’ve been." ( The Discipline of Grace)

Here, we find rest from our striving. Confidence in His nearness. Faith in His ongoing, sanctifying work in our lives. Hope for the day this work will be complete and we won’t need reminders anymore.

And for today, it means humbly acknowledging our weakness and our desperate need for reminders. Accepting the grace in beautiful moments of returning to Him when we’ve gotten distracted or mixed up along the way, in His steadfast love for us.

The Gospel is clutch. Everyday. The good news not only saves us but sustains us. He’s not finished with us yet, shaping us as a potter forms the clay. May we humbly embrace the gospel and all the reminders the Holy Spirit brings us today.

📝 In Writing

📚 On My Shelf

Still learning from this commentary on 1 & 2 Kings for our ladies bible study. We’re shifting to the life of Elisha now.
Still reading The Pursuit of Holy Leisure, Delighting in the Trinity and Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ which have all been timely reflections on knowing and enjoying the Lord during this season of Lent.

🗞️ In Articles

What Does the Bible Say About Being A Woman?

I'm eagerly looking forward to Jen's new bible study coming out this month on this topic. Her article shares about 5 women in Scripture who served the Lord and His people.

When Your Marriage Doesn't Make You Happy

I'd finished reading Married for God, and was reflecting on marriage and personal happiness for my review this week as well. Here's a stronger look at the world's understanding and expectations of marriage, and how a Christian worldview is so different.

If I'm Dead to Sin, Why Do I Still Struggle With Sin?

I think when we battle with temptation and sin on the regular, we respond in a few ways. Sometimes like an ostrich putting her head in the sand, neglecting the disciplines of confession and repentance, because of shame. Or with anxiety because we know the Scriptures teach us we are a new creation, the old is gone, but we're confused, trying to reconcile the Word and our everyday struggles with sin. I'm looking forward to Brad's upcoming book on this topic and how the doctrine of our union with Christ helps us fight sin.

Assurance of Faith, Even When Weak

"Our sin and uncertainty, our self-reliance and self-worship, are all reminders that God is still carrying on the good work within us that he started, a good work that he has promised to finish."