Simple Battles But Important Victories

My daughter, Jessica, came up to me while I was in the middle of changing and dressing my youngest for the day.  With only 15 minutes on the clock before our Bible study and leaving for school she started reading the Bible lesson we were going to do for the day to me.  Everything in me wanted to say, honey we don't have time for this, we have to go, go, go!  Instead, somehow, the business of the morning did not drown out the still, sweet voice whispering to me, "Your daughter is reading my word, you can run late!"  I was reminded of another lesson that I have to learn again and again.  We have to be intentional and let God work in those sweet rare moments in a family of so many where I just have two of them (the other three running around the house like crazy people) and one wants my attention.  I stood there holding Sadie and listened to my 7 year old read a story about one of Jesus' miracles.  She read it beautifully and was so proud of herself.  Still though I found myself in battle....all the voices in my head, "Hurry, we have to go!"  vs. "Be still and listen!" forced me to be distracted.  It is hard to be still some times, ok, most of the time.  As a mother of five, still is not an option most of the time.  Most of the time the only way I eat is standing up.  However, let us be intentional to find those still sweet times to listen to our children and disciple them.  They also teach us a lot about ourselves.

 By the way...we were only 5 minutes later to school than normal but still before school started.  That in itself, is a miracle!

The first entry......

God has this habit of when He wants you to do something, He is.......well, relentless to not let you forget it.  Such is the creation of this blog.  I have been doing a study for the past couple weeks on the Holy Spirit and have been reminded that He will provide.  I sat under a good Word from one of our pastors who said this..."God never demands anything from you he doesn't put in you first".  Ouch!!!  I am having a hard time running from the voice in my head that continues to say....Write!!!  Well, Here it is Lord.  Do with it what you may.

The name Grace Covered Sheep comes from the fact that I have a wonderful shepherd...One that leads me in the direction for His glory.  In that I am covered by His Grace...daily.  When I mess up, Grace!  When I feel like giving up, Grace!  When I follow, Grace!  When the lion is prowling...Grace!   It is all around me and I love that.

John 10: 3-5 says, "The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him.  He calls his own sheep by name (I LOVE THIS....HE IS PERSONAL!!!!) and leads them out.  After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.  They wont follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don't know his voice."

Things coming up in my family's life.  We are selling our home.  This in itself will give many hilarious stories on how to market a home with five children ages 7 and under.  We are downsizing...this in itself will also provide some humor as we learn how to live on top of each other successfully.  We are opening our eyes to the poor, the orphan, the widow, the needy.  We are praying that the spirit will guide us (much like sheep) to the place, town, house he wants us in.  I can't wait to see what this looks like. Mainly, we are stepping out of our comfort zone to help plant a church 30 minutes south of where we live now.  I pray we listen to the sweet voice of our shepherd and RUN from any other voices that may come our way.