Happy Friday!
Winter has officially arrived with our first real snowfall. The roads are icy, and every trip now takes a little longer. There’s that mix of gratitude for the long, beautiful fall we enjoyed and the reluctant acceptance that yes, winter is here to stay.
It’s a reminder of how often we hold gratitude and acceptance in tension.
In the same way, we’re grateful for the salvation we’ve already received, yet we continue to work it out as we live in the in-between of the already-but-not-yet kingdom of God. We wait and hope for the day Christ will return, bringing the fullness of salvation and putting an end to sin forever.
Lately, I’ve found my heart fixed on this tension, especially as I reflect on lament—looking back with thankfulness while longing for the redemption still to come.
Paul’s words in Philippians 1:6 come to mind: “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” What a comfort to know God is faithful to finish what He’s started in us.
As you step into this weekend, where do you see gratitude and longing held together in your life? How might you trust God to meet you in that space?
Grace & Peace,
Amber
Content: This Week…
In Articles (curated content just for you)
On the Blog
Book Review Summary: Just Be Honest
Key Insight: Lament is not a sign of weak faith but an act of trust that invites us to bring our raw emotions to God, trusting Him with our pain and questions.
Reflection: Think about a recent struggle or disappointment in your life. Have you taken it to God honestly, or have you tried to carry it alone? What might it look like to approach Him with your full emotions—grief, anger, or confusion—in prayer?
Action Step
This week, write your own lament. Follow the biblical pattern seen in the Psalms:
Address God: Begin by acknowledging Him as your refuge.
Express Your Complaint: Honestly pour out your heart about the situation.
Ask for Help: Petition God for intervention, clarity, or strength.
Declare Trust: End by affirming your trust in His sovereignty and goodness.
As you pray, let this act of lament be an expression of faith, trusting that God is present and listening.
In Articles
Daughter of Encouragement | Melisa Edgington
Here's a heartwarming example of what encouragement looks like on a Sunday morning, and how it blesses the heart of those who receive it.
When Our Minds Fail, Jesus Will Not Lose Us | Lara d"Entremont
A beautiful reminder that despite our human forgetfulness and the unraveling of aging, we find comfort in God's promise that he will never forget His children. Even when minds fail, Jesus will always remember and care for us
Katharina von Bora: A Perfectly Free Christian Single | Gretchen Ronnevik (TGC)
Here's a short bio about Katharina von Bora, a woman who after escaping from a convent, refused to marry just anyone, boldly stepping into the freedom she found in Christ. Eventually, she married Martin Luther, not as a passive bystander but as a strong partner. Together, they built a home where she supported his ministry and faithfully served her community. I'm really looking forward to Gretchen's biography about her!
Is The Fruit of the Spirit Like a Pie or a Tree? | Kristen Wetherell (Crossway)
The fruit of the Spirit isn’t something we whip up on our own, like a homemade pie. It’s more like a tree, completely dependent on God for nourishment and growth. These words are a great reminder that as believers, we don’t bear fruit by working harder or doing more; we grow by staying rooted in Christ and relying on the Holy Spirit.
How Pondering Death Fuels Our Faith | Jenny Marcelene {GCD)
Reflecting on death has a way of strengthening our faith, doesn’t it? It shifts our focus to what really lasts—our relationship with Jesus and the eternal values we hold dear. When we take time to consider our mortality, we start to see the beauty in life more clearly and prioritize what truly matters. It’s in those moments of reflection that we draw closer to God and learn to treasure the present in a deeper way.
Previously on Mosaic
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