Part of the journey

I rarely take selfies, but I really wanted to share God’s blessing.

Yes, I’m holding a lamb on my lap in the car.

This little lamb is an answer to prayer.

Way before my husband was asked to apply at his current position.

Before we had any idea we would be moving back to the country.

Before I had let myself dream of country life, God had asked me what I wanted if I were to choose a home for our family.

It felt a bit odd, but I was honest.

On the list of things I wanted was property, enough to raise some livestock on.

Fast forward several months, we are here in the country on property we can raise livestock on, I’d been seeking God as to what we were to raise and where we were to get them.

The chickens were an easy answer, we ordered them.

Both my husband and myself wanted at least one dairy goat, but I couldn’t figure out which breed and just kept praying.

Then, God opened the door for me to purchase a female Toggenburg, born this year, and when she’s weaned we’ll go pick her up.

I’m buying her from friends who live nearby and have seen her several times now.

I thanked God for His answer, and then started praying for something new.

This baby goat is used to being with other goats, she wouldn’t do well without another animal.

Since my husband and I want to raise a few sheep, we began looking for ewe lambs for sale.

While working through this process, neither of us could get peace about the animals we found available.

After more prayer and discussion with Handsome, I decided to ask a member of our church who has a large sheep herd.

I spoke briefly with his wife after church a week ago, and she said she didn’t know of any ewe lambs for sale, but would ask.

“It’s too bad you didn’t ask sooner! We just got rid of all our bummer lambs!” Her sweet face was lined with regret.

I assured her God had a plan and I would just keep praying.

Imagine my surprise when my husband texted me on Friday night from a church function:

“Do you want a bummer lamb?”

I sent an instant, “Yes!”

The sweet lady from church had told her husband about my conversation with her and they ended up with a very late bummer lamb.

The gentleman spoke with my husband at church and then Handsome texted me.

We picked her up Saturday afternoon and we all are enjoying her.

I’m so blessed by God directing us, even in something so unimportant as livestock.

For it builds my faith that God is personally interested in every detail of my life.

I want to cling to God in every possible way and I’m so encouraged by how He has provided for our new addition.

God is faithful and His ways are best.

Isaiah 30:18 KJV — And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your provision. Not just with this lamb or this home, but for those things which are eternal. Lord, thank You for Your love, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, and compassion. Thank You that You are the One who gives us life and that You have a purpose for each. Thank You that You show us truth, wisdom, and the path to eternity through Your Word. Thank You for paying the price that I might be saved. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Two days before Christmas

Picture from taken of the book One Wintry Night by Ruth Bell Graham and illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson.

Jesus is the Christ.

Luke 2:11 KJV — For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Jesus is the Son of God.

John 11:27 KJV — She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

Jesus is the Son of man, born of a virgin.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
Matthew 1:23 NKJV

Jesus is the unblemished Lamb of God.

John 1:36 NKJV — And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”

Jesus is the Light of the World.

John 8:12 NKJV — Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Jesus is a teacher.

John 1:38 NKJV — Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”

Jesus is the Savior.

Acts 13:23 NKJV — “From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Revelation 17:14 NKJV — “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.”

Jesus is a friend.

John 15:15 NKJV — “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

John 15:13 NKJV — “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

He also told us how to be His friend.

John 15:14 NKJV — “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.

To be the friend of God…

What an incredible privilege!

And Jesus is the Way.

He leads us.

He gave us His commandments.

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31

And He provides the perfect example of these.

His life is our standard and inspiration.

Praise God!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for all Your love. Thank You that You call us friends. Please help us to live today unto You and to follow Your example. Lord, You alone are the only one who can teach us how to live, the way to walk. You are so good, so patient, so gracious, so loving. Thank You. Amen.

Six days before Christmas

Luke 2:7 KJV — And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Bible doesn’t specify what animals were present at the stable.

But it makes sense that there would be.

Especially, sheep.

Leviticus 23:12 KJV — And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Jesus is the Lamb.

John 1:29 NKJV — The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

His sacrifice paid for sin, once and for all.

So, having a lamb in the Nativity is definitely a wonderful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus gave.

Truly, He was the only One Who could pay for our sin.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your sacrifice. Lord, thank You for the humble place of Your birth and how full it is of hints to Who You are and what You were going to do. Truly, everything about Your birth is an inspiration and encouragement. For nothing was out of control then, nor is it now. You are working the will of Your Father, restoring us to a right relationship with You. Thank You! Praise be to Your Holy Name! Amen!