The first and only time that I heard the audible voice of God was one evening while I was lying in bed. Just about to fall asleep, I heard the Lord clearly say my name. That was all that I heard. Just my name. "Jennifer." I can't explain it, but hearing the Lord call my name brought me great delight...and comfort. It reminded me of how intimately acquainted He is with me. And, too, there's just something special about hearing someone say your name.
This was made very clear to me one Sunday morning when I was the lead person in the 4 & 5 year old room at my church. Normally, I am the lead in the 2 & 3 year old room; however, this particular Sunday I was covering for someone else.
After I got over my initial shock by the quantum difference between the "interactive level" of the 4 & 5s versus the 2 & 3s...(Can I just say that I had A LOT of offers from the 4/5 girls to assist, yea, even RUN the classroom that morning! 
)...I then had to get acquainted with the children and their names.
)...I then had to get acquainted with the children and their names.
Many of them were "graduates" from my 2 & 3 year old class; however, many were new to me. Then there was the added challenge of siblings in both classrooms. Which, on this particular morning, was the case. I am quite familiar with precious, little Mercy Rich who is a regular attender in the 2 & 3 year old class; however, I am less familiar with her bigger but close look-alike sister, Grace--who, of course, is a "regular" in the 4 & 5 year old room.
So, there I sat at the front of the classroom...trying to get the attention of my highly interactive 4 & 5 year old precious little ones...when one of the Rich girls was very involved in a conversation with another child. I called her name several times to try to get her attention. "Mercy." "Mercy, eyes up front, please." "Mercy." The more I called her name and the more that she didn't respond; I have to admit, the more the fruit of my spirit was being tested 
. After a few moments of this, the polite little girl turned to me and said, "My name is Grace." Ha! You can imagine my embarrassment...and my quick repentance for nearly loosing my composure.
. After a few moments of this, the polite little girl turned to me and said, "My name is Grace." Ha! You can imagine my embarrassment...and my quick repentance for nearly loosing my composure.
I profusely apologized to Grace and clumsily tried to explain that I thought she was her sister, Mercy...and that I am so used to having Mercy in class that I forgot that I was in the 4 & 5 year old class where it's Grace and not Mercy and blah, blah, blah.
It was only later in the day...when my surroundings and my spirit were quieted...that the Lord reminded me of the value of a name...and the importance of knowing a name. Like "Jesus." The name above ALL names. Kind of like that!
Anyway, it was one of those "accidental" lessons that morning. One that I won't forget. And all I can say is, "Thanks for granting me mercy, Grace!"
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