The Gift of Community at Covenant
I was recently asked to share my personal testimony about our family’s move to Texas during a Moms in Prayer meeting. Revisiting this story is both humbling and encouraging because it reminds me that life can and will be hard, but most of all, His grace is more than enough to carry us through those seasons.
As I was contemplating what I would say to a group of women (without crying the ugly cry), our pastor shared John 15:12-17. Those verses instantly reminded me of the importance of community and loving each other as we navigate life together. In John 15, Jesus talks to His disciples and gives them final instructions before He departs. Verse 17 says, “This is my command: Love each other.”
Exactly two years ago, in August, our family moved to Texas from Oklahoma. Now, I realize some of you have made much farther journeys to the great state of Texas, but hear me out—Oklahoma was home. It’s where I was born and raised, where I met my husband, and where our children were born. I could run into people at the grocery store who knew my grandparents. The roots ran deep. So when my husband told me he believed the Lord was leading us to Texas, I was adamant this was not for us. To put it in perspective: two weeks before the moving trucks arrived, I hadn’t packed a single box. My husband finally looked at me and asked, “Rachel, are you coming?”
On August 17, 2023, the trucks did arrive, and I did pack. And let me tell you—It. Was. Hard.
We had been homeschooling for over seven years and planned to continue, but God had another plan. In December of that year, my 16-year-old son came to me and shared his desire to be around a stronger, Christ-centered community. Around the same time, we kept hearing about Covenant Christian Academy. After calling around and touring a couple of schools, we decided to visit CCA. On January 31, 2024, our son enrolled. The following fall, our daughter joined him. Though we haven’t been here as long as many “lifers,” our whole family already loves this community and the school’s vision for its students.
That same Sunday when our pastor shared John 15, he also said something that struck me: “When we walk into a room, we are always looking for someone who is looking for us.” It reminded me of a concept I’d been talking about with my kids before school began—the idea of being the “first liker.” Be the first person in the room to reach out to the one who looks alone or uncertain. Why? Because God designed us for community, and He calls us to love each other.
As a homeschooling mom who had been with her kids nearly 24/7 for many years, I felt a real sense of loss when they started going to school. But the wonderful families we’ve met—including the precious women in Moms in Prayer—have stepped in with encouragement and love. And now, as I type this with tears in my eyes, I’m so thankful I packed up and came to Texas.
Most of all, I’m deeply grateful for the administrators, teachers, and families at Covenant Christian Academy who chose to be “first likers” to our family.
