"So the Lord said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." Exodus 33:17
From elementary school until just a few years ago I have never embraced my middle name. I pinpoint that precise time because once in public school certain 'things' about your person get brought to your attention, good or bad. And whatever might be good can easily be turned into bad...as soon as your classmates take notice.
I remember the day as well as if it were yesterday. It was 'Report Card Day' and we had been given ours as we lined up to leave our classroom on the way to lunch. Now back in the day our report cards were as big as poster boards and our teachers would so artistically write our WHOLE name in big block letters right there on the front for the entire world to see. As we marched to the lunchroom it only took zero point five seconds for a swift young classmate (of the male gender) to observe my name and very quickly discover his poetic talent.
My middle name is Leatrice. Now I thought it was a pretty name because it was different...until that day. I soon decided I very strongly disliked it...I mean how could my parents give me a name so closely associated with Latrine; "a toilet or outhouse, especially a communal one in a camp or barracks"? Why didn't they run said name through the gamut of names that correspond with words that could possibly be the ruin of their child? I decided from that day forward I would not voluntarily share my middle name with anyone.
Did you know that the word 'name' is written 835 times in the New King James Version? God thought a lot about a name. He named everything He created the moment He created it (Gen. 1:5). He had Adam give the animal and plant kingdom their names (Gen.2:19). He changed the names of certain prophets throughout the bible (Gen. 17:5) and they changed the names of established places and points and rocks according to their significance during pivotal Bible times (Gen. 35:15).
God himself has many names throughout the entire Bible. "...and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isa.9:6b) "Author and Finisher of our faith" (Heb.12:2) "Cornerstone" (Eph.2:20) "Faithful and True Witness" (Rev.3:14) and the list goes on and on. Throughout scripture God reveals Himself to us through His different names. When we study these names that He reveals to us in the Bible, we will better understand who God really is.
*If I would have only known how important my name was to my person.
* If I could have only grasp the depth of what a name really means. (Leatrice; noble woman)
*If I could have taken my parents' feelings into consideration before discarding it so easily.
...maybe then I could have realized my name was given to me and was special to me because my Mama and Daddy thought it was special. Then instead of letting others discredit it I could have been more confident in knowing that my name was the name God meant for me to have; for He knows me by my name (Isa. 45:3).
And guess what else...soon and very soon I am going to see the King and will receive a new name (Rev. 2:17). Jesus Christ will give every believer a new name that is written down in glory.
...And it's mine
Oh yes it's mine!
But for now I'll cherish my name. How about you?
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, You are my Savior, Redeemer, Almighty God. May I continue to study Your name and all that it holds for me. Thank you for my name and for showing me through Your Word the importance of it. Amen!