Mosaic (May 23)

It’s wind-up season.

For our family, that means activities are wrapping up. We’re not a baseball family, so instead of nights at the ball field, we’re enjoying quiet evenings at home. The kids are out in the neighborhood—running through sprinklers, jumping on trampolines, and biking with friends.

It’s also barbecue season.

Now, there are some die-hards who grill year-round, but our winters are cold—and keeping the grill or smoker hot enough is a challenge. (Maybe that’s just my excuse, because I really don’t like being cold.) But this week, we enjoyed some delicious burgers and grilled veggies, and now I’m on the hunt for new recipes to try.

What season are you in right now?

Maybe you’re bringing a project to a close. Perhaps it’s your slow season at work. Or maybe things are ramping up—planting flowers or gardens, starting summer routines, or adjusting as a farming season kicks off. For many of us, this time of year brings some kind of shift.

Personally, I’ve always found beginnings easier than endings. I tend to lose momentum over time, get a little bored with repetition. Because of that, I’ve had to work hard to organize myself—to build in structure and discipline so I can finish what I start. Even still, I find myself drawn to the energy of something new.

Ecclesiastes reminds us there’s a time for everything—a time to begin, and a time to finish.

This month, we celebrated the lives of two people dear to us who passed away. It’s the finishing I’ve been thinking about lately, and what it looks like to finish well. Paul told Timothy, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).

There’s nothing I want more than to be able to say those words one day.

And for the most part, my walk with God has been anything but boring or stagnant. I guess that’s what happens when it’s not a project or a checklist, but a relationship. Our Uncle Dan lived that way—full of life, always ready to lend a hand, embracing his quirks and humor to make people feel loved and cared for.

And then there was Cleo—a dear lady whose heart for missions encouraged us deeply as we prepared to head to the field. She welcomed the youth into new experiences, introducing them to ethnic foods and cultures during progressive supper nights. She always had a chocolate loonie tucked in her pocket for my kiddos. Her willingness to embrace her uniqueness was such a gift to those around her, and we were among the blessed.

May we be people who persevere—not just in finishing what we start, but in keeping the faith, loving well, and living in step with the season we’re in.

This Week in Articles

Is There a Future for Church Grandmas and Grandpas | Trevin Wax (TGC)

I think about how I've been blessed by church grandmas and grandpas as I grew up. They taught my Sunday school classes, shared their testimonies at Pioneer Girls and VBS. "Church grandpas and grandmas don't emerge overnight. They don't start their daily Bible reading habit after retirement. Their spiritual heritage is built over decades—slowly, patiently, meditatively, listening attentively as the Lord speaks through his Word." May we endeavour to leave that legacy for our own families, but also in our churches.

Don't Settle for Less Than Treasure in Heaven | Jen Oshman

This article helped me reflect on our family's spending...and the role of each member in our family making those decisions. "The difference between the rich young ruler and these supporters of Jesus's life and ministry was where they spent their treasure. The young man was unwilling. topart with his, while Jesus's followers spent "their own means" on their Lord's well-being, his ministry and the advancement of his kingdom. Their money served their God. They did not serve their money."

Fear Takes You Where Grace Has Not Yet Gone | Sarah Walton

Do we believe God’s grace is truly sufficient—even in our fears, our sorrows, and the challenges we face? How might this truth shape our daily lives and the decisions we make?

What (Not) To Say When a Friend Feels Inadequate | Bethany Broderick (TGC)

I’ve been the one feeling inadequate more times than I’d like to admit. I’m so grateful for friends who reminded me of the beauty of God-given limits, pointed me back to His grace, and affirmed His work in me—filling me with hope in His goodness. Who in your life might need that same gentle reminder today?

The Secret Things | Andrea Sanborn

I was really encouraged by Andrea’s reflection on Deuteronomy 29:29. When it comes to discipleship, we can feel the pressure to have all the answers or say the right thing to appear confident. But the truth is, we can be humble enough to remind ourselves—and those we’re walking with—that the secret things belong to God and embracing mystery is part of what it means to walk by faith.