Mosaic (May 30)
- Amber Thiessen
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Happy Friday!
I’m staring at my unzipped suitcase, a few items still scattered beside it, wondering if it’s going to work to squeeze it all in. We’ve always favoured the medium-sized suitcases — anything larger and you risk going over the airline weight limit. But here I am, trying to find room for every last pocket of space, tucking in one more sweatshirt, my cosmetic bag, and a handful of socks pulled from the laundry basket.
There’s a lot of emotion packed into this moment too. Anticipation at seeing old friends. Eagerness to return to African soil, with all its memories embedded in my heart. Humble excitement for the opportunity to serve on an international mission board — to help guide our organization and support the gospel going forth among the unreached, alongside leaders who once sat in these very meetings eight years ago and paused everything to pray for our daughter and our family.
As I feel my heart stuffed with emotions, memories, and responsibility, I’m reminded that God invites me to surrender every one of these “items” — even the last-minute additions — to Him. He carries what we cannot. We serve not from what we’ve packed in or managed to produce on our own, but from the grace we’ve already received in Christ.
It’s a moment to remember, again, what it means to trust in the Lord with all my heart — to lean not on my own understanding, but to submit to Him in all my ways (Proverbs 3:5–6). In my morning reading, J. Stephen Yuille put it this way, “True submission to God means joyfully surrendering to His will. It is being able to say, ‘I delight to do Your will, O my God’” (Psalm 40:8).
What are you trying to carry on your own today that Christ is inviting you to entrust to Him?
Sometimes, the things we think we need to hold onto most are the very things He’s asking us to hand over. He doesn’t need our perfectly packed bags — just our willing hearts.
Grace & Peace,
Amber
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"A pastor may speak for an hour on Sunday, but secular voices are preaching. tous for the remaining 167 hours of the week." Which ones have you heard today?
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I deeply appreciated the challenge and encouragement in this article. In my work in mental health, I often witness both the isolation of those who are struggling and the quiet burnout of those who care for them. I’m also reminded of the season when our daughter was hospitalized for months—how profoundly we were blessed by the prayers and practical help of others.
Who are the caregivers in your church? Can you name three? What might you do to support them this week?
