It was treasured and given to me by two of my four adored older brothers. They don’t know where it came from. It simply was and it made me feel very special. They truly meant no harm and it stayed with me for years to come. It was my childhood nickname, Boosh, and it was harmless, or so I thought.
Our name is important to us. It lets others know how to address us. Our name identifies us to others. I grew up in an era when a lot of importance was put on naming children after family relatives. The middle name of three of my four brothers is the first name of three of our uncles. The youngest of my brothers and I somehow missed out on this tradition, but nonetheless, I have always really liked my name, especially because it was very uncommon while I was growing up. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school that I met another girl with my name and even then, she spelled hers differently than mine.
Throughout Biblical history not only were names important they carried meanings that names in our current culture might not. The meaning of a Biblical name could have been prophecy about future events, the outcome of one’s life, or an indication of the hopes and dreams of parents for the life of their child.
Hannah gave her son the name Samuel because she cried out to the Lord for a child and God answered her prayer. In the original Hebrew Samuel means I have asked for him. The name of one of Isaiah’s son was Shear-Yashub meaning a remnant will return. And Joseph was told by an angel of the Lord in a dream to name the baby Mary was carrying Immanuel, meaning with us is God, or God with us.
Do you identify with your birth name? If so, how [family name, Biblical or cultural or perhaps your mom liked a particular sports player and decided to name you after him/her].
I encourage you to read 1 Peter 2:9 [if you don’t have a Bible you can search this verse online] and list the different names God calls you that are your true identity found in Christ. When you start with the negative self talk or you find yourself speaking negatively to another person, gently remind yourself that we are all created in the image of God and say to yourself the beautiful words God calls you and others.
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Shalom!
Your Gift is for Everyone
What’s Outside Your Window?
Given the Nations
Anchored in Hope
A Crown Upon His Head
Toiling is Good
Hamstrung
Let Go My Soul
Friday Thoughts of Encouragement
Where Are You Looking?
The Young Queen
What’s Your Weapon?
May We Want To
The Big Lie
Profit and Recognition
This morning I came to the book of Daniel looking for something else and instead Holy Spirit led me here.
Have you ever heard the analogy that women are like spaghetti and men are like waffles? Women’s thoughts tend to overlap and intertwine together in an elaborate patchwork of words, actions and pictures mixing together like a big pot of pasta! Men’s thoughts tend to be compartmentalized, rarely touching, if at all, but still their own elaborate patchwork of words, actions and pictures.
Precious One, join me in preparing a box among the compartments or spaghetti of your mind. Not a box of nothing but a box of simply being. Being at-one-ment with Him.