Last night, after celebrating Mosaic’s 19th anniversary, we gathered again for a special thanksgiving night. It wasn’t a night of programs, but a time of full tummies, open hearts, stories shared, and gratitude rising from every corner of our community.

What LIKHAYAG Means

Our theme this year, LIKHAYAG, is a word we coined and it carries the heart of who we are becoming.

• LIKHA – to create, the handiwork of God. As Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” We are His masterpiece, shaped with purpose.
• KAHAYAG – a Visayan word for light or sinag, the radiance that breaks into darkness.
• HAYAG in Tagalog – to proclaim, to make known, to reveal.

Put together, LIKHAYAG is a declaration: We are created to shine, to live as God’s handiwork, and to proclaim His light and love in the world. And this was exactly what Thanksgiving night reflected, stories of God’s light made visible through His people.

Stories of Gratitude

A few of us shared their own Likhayag stories. One of us shared how she went from helping brainstorm the theme to being entrusted with the design and souvenir booths. At first, she felt overwhelmed and don’t know if she can really do it. But she was grateful,  because in her weakness, she found strength in community. Others stepped in, and she realized she didn’t have to carry the work alone.

A dear brother who had been quiet for some time, suddenly found himself behind the camera for our anniversary. Not only did he capture moments that will be remembered, but he also rediscovered the joy of serving. In fact, he even found the camera lens he had long been searching for, suddenly available just in time. To him, it felt like God opening a door for him to return to service.

Two others were new in the ministry. One, totally new, served in the food ministry. Another had been longing for an opportunity to serve again after some time away. She finally found her place helping in candle-making. Both stories reminded us that no act of service is too small and that God always makes room for willing hearts.

There were more stories like these, each one unique, but together they painted the same truth: God moves even through our ordinary hands.

Thanks-Living

Our pastor’s short exhortation pierced deeply: a truly transformed life is marked by gratitude. And more than just words, gratitude is best shown through “Thanks-Living”,  living daily in a way that reflects how thankful we really are. He reminded us not to wait until people are gone before we appreciate them. Gratitude is meant to be spoken now, lived now, shared now.

The Song That Became a Prayer

The highlight of the night was when Coach NT sang “I Won’t Last a Day Without You.” A familiar love song, yes but in that moment, it became something more. It became a hymn of dependence on God, and a love letter to the people around us.

One line echoed in my heart:
“I can take all the madness the world has to give but I won’t last a day without you.”
And I realized, that’s Mosaic to me. That’s what ministry is for me. Without God and without this family He has placed me in, I wouldn’t last.

I found myself in tears because God reminded me: this is my to live for and to die for. This is LIKHAYAG, not a perfect work, but a radiant one, carried out by imperfect people who lean on a perfect God.

Serving isn’t easy. There are struggles, disappointments, even moments when I want to give up. But at the end of the day, I always return to this calling. And I know deep in my heart, I would not exchange this life for anything else. Because this is what it means to be LIKHAYAG: created to shine, created to proclaim, created to live in gratitude

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

LIKHAYAG – Lumikha. Magliwanag. I-HAYAG!