What's In A Name?

His name means "laughter", which we have found over the past five fleeting years to be all too appropriate for this little one.  Isaac has truly never known the meaning of a dull moment.  He is either belly laughing at someone else' antics, or he is creating a good time with an off-the-wall and perfectly placed statement or facial expression.

Isaac dressed himself as a "bebe elefante" (baby elephant)

His timing is impeccable.  Josh and I have no idea where it came from in the family gene pool, but we just chalk it up to God's holy joy.  Isaac has the uncanny ability to insert a moment of humor and lightheartedness into any situation and have us all rolling on the floor in seconds.  

His middle name, Nathanael, means "God gave".  How amazing is that?  God gave us laughter.  To be joyful, happy and enjoy life; these are truly gifts of God.

There is great power in a name.  Before the birth of each of our children, Josh and I prayed and waited for the Lord to give us just the right names that He desired each of them to be called; the names that He had planned for them since His knitting them together in the depths of the earth.  And He did.  And in each of their naming, we have found that God's names were unquestionably fitting  for each child.

"For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you becuase I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from You
When I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
Your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in Your book before one of them came to be."  ~Psalm 139:13-16

You, dear friend, were knitted together by the very Creator of this world.  The Former of the entire universe wove you together in the depths of the earth.  He has ordained all of your days and written them in His book, even the days that have not yet passed.  Do you feel it?  Can you hear His whisper of the weight of purpose which He has set in you?

That niggling feeling that doesn't leave, that is always there in your heart; that there must be more than what we see with our eyes and touch with our hands...that is Him.  That is the God of all of the ages calling you forth into life.  You were created for greatness, each and every day.

Yesterday Isaac told me he can't wait until he grows up and becomes an adult.  When I asked him why, he said, "Because I want to feed people!"  With his characteristic huge smile spreading across his face.  "Buddy, who do you want to feed?"  I queried.  "The homeless."  Glory to God.

Abba Father ~ This day You have called us Child.  You have called us loved.  You have called us out of darkness and to live as children of the light in this darkened world.  Thank You!  Thank You for Your divine purposes planned for each of us every day, every moment of our lives.  Bring them to fruition in each of us.  And to You be the glory and honor alone, forever and ever.  In Jesus' name ~ Amen.

Enjoy today,