In high school, a friend called me Grace because I was clumsy. I also didn’t make room in my life for grace – for myself or others – although I’m not sure he was referring to my judgmental ways. Either way, thankfully, this ironic name didn’t stick.
Really, I’ve never been much for nicknames, probably because sometimes names that describe our faults do stick and weigh us down.
For several weeks, I’ve been thinking about names because we’re adopting a baby girl due Sept. 28. We also are trying to come up with a name for our lake house. Turns out naming a baby is easier than a house.
(We’re naming her Rachel Elizabeth. Rachel has been at the top of my baby name list for a while now and Elizabeth is the middle name of both Greg’s great-grandmother Della and my sister Cassie.)
Names are about identity. They are how people know us and what we’re called. They’re part of our stories.
Of course, there are labels to which we’ve clung too tightly and the ones we’ve let define us.
Regret. Shame. Liar. Addict. Infertile. Failure. Klutz. Perfectionist. Class clown. Introvert. Extrovert. Abandoned.
Those nicknames aren’t the name by which God knows us and calls us. Those aren’t the labels that should tell the world who we are.
We are children of the one true king. {Tweet that.} We are chosen and adopted and called and blessed and redeemed.
And we can change our perspective of ourselves – not because of what we’ve done but because of who God is. So let’s strip off the name tags that hinder us and display the ones that matter.
While this has been in my mind, I’ve been hearing – on the radio and in my head – songs that proclaim this message of our true identity ::
Oh, and the lake house still doesn’t have a name, so feel free to offer suggestions. And I love hearing stories about names, so share in the comments about your name or how you chose your kids’ names.
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Kristin, Congratulations on your new addition coming! How exciting & what a blessing! It is so true that nicknames can stick & be hurtful. May we be careful in the adjectives we use to describe our children so they embrace their identity in & through the eyes of Christ. Blessings!
I love this! I have to remind myself all the time that God made me "Zori," and not someone else or a certain label. AND I love Rachel Elizabeth–beautiful! I can not wait to meet her!
We are on the exact same page today…both blogging about identity! I love calling God my Abba. I still can't get over the ambush of acceptance I feel every time He calls me His daughter! Love this post!
Oh how those nick names stick and bend our posture low in heaviness, but I am so grateful for grace.
Congratulations on the new little one, soon to be in your arms. My youngest has the same middle name.:)
When I think of lake houses, I think of peaceful mornings of devotions….warm afternoons upon the beach….restful days reading books that encourage my heart…and laughter, freedom to ler go, and memories. Good luck on the name!!
Thanks for hosting another gathering of hearts.
♡Dawn
Our identity means everything to us but it only takes one name to bring it crashing down around us and cause us to lose sight of who we really are. I was called a name years ago when I was taking swim classes and learning the butterfly. There is nothing graceful about that stroke when you are learning and this instructor made sure to let me know that. It has stuck with me all those years and still stings when I think about it. I praise God that I am His child and am loved beyond measure everyday by Him. Glad to be back here to catch up a little on your life Kristin.
Glad you're back too, Mary! It's true that we can lose sight of who — whose! — we are in an instant. So grateful for the grace that reminds me.
Thanks so much for being here and for your comment, Dawn! I'm grateful for that grace too. xoxo
Oooh, good! I'm looking forward to reading your post! Thanks for your comment here, Bethany.
Yes – God made you YOU. Glad you commented here today, Zori!
"May we be careful in the adjectives we use to describe our children so they embrace their identity in & through the eyes of Christ." –> YES, yes, yes! As always, I'm glad you're here!
I'm pretty good with names and titles Kristin, tell me more about your lake house. Name of lake?
Thanks for sharing, I needed this!! I absolutely love the name Rachel Elizabeth!!
Your post was right on target for what we choose to name ourselves. Hi, I'm Ruthie, and I'm an Introverted perfectionistic control freak. There, I said it. But God says I'm loved, forgiven, and a work in progress. So I'll choose to go with that today!
My kid's names are Taryn, Nolan, Hayley, and Kylie. Taryn came from a friend (who heard it on a soap opera :/)
Nolan – baby book. Hayley and Kylie: Good Housekeeping Magazine! Go figure! Hubs and I just love different names. Taryn named her son and my only grandson Sawyer. I love it.
Good luck on the lake house name. How about Placid? 😉
Thanks for the link up each week. My title does not have three words but I'm getting that it's ok to do that here?
Blessings, Kristin!
Maybe you can call it Grace Pointe? I don't know if it is on a point on inlet on the lake? Just a thought. Thanks for the great linkup. My post kinda of fits with theme. Imagining what God has on His refrigerator about my life. What kind of highlights of my life as His child does He keep and adore just as I keep the crayon scribblings from my granddaughter on my refrigerator?
Great name – I love that!!!
Names can build us up and they can bring us down. I recall a few "nicknames" that tore me up and they often still creep into my mind and heart. They still hurt. I thank you for reminding me that Jesus does not…NOT…know me by those words. That is all they are…words…NOT my name. The song that comes to mind for me is "He Knows My Name" and will be humming that for the afternoon!! : )
Rachel Elizabeth is beautiful, Kristin, beautiful!! and she will be! Congratulations on this precious adoption. I hold you and your family and the birth mother in my prayers.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
Oh, yes, that's a good song too, Linda! Thanks for your prayers – I sincerely appreciate them.
Grace Point was on my list. And it's actually on a point. 🙂 I'm glad you're here, Mary! I'm looking forward to reading your post. Have you read that quote from Max Lucado about God having a picture of us on his refrigerator?
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends your flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning, Face it, friend. He is crazy about you!"
Oh, Ruthie, how I know those perfectionist control freak qualities. Thankfully, God's working on me. 🙂 Thanks for sharing all your kids' names!
The idea of #ThreeWordWednesday is you'd have three words that sum up what you're learning or thinking about and them elaborate in a post. They wouldn't necessarily have to be in the title. BUT that said … you and your posts are welcome here any way you write them. 🙂
I'm glad you were encouraged, Abby! And thanks for your sweet comment about Rachel's name.
I keep thinking about trying to incorporate Story – the idea that memories are made here and stories are written here. Words like joy and grace and goodness have come up. And place or point … I just can't get it to sound right for us, for our house and our family. The name of the lake is Kentucky Lake. See, we had another lake house that we named The Gathering Place. The name was perfect for what we wanted to happen there – friends and families gather with each other. BUT we were kind of forced to sell that because of circumstances out of our control. So this house needs a new name, although the mission hasn't changed.
Hello Kristen, congrats on your adoption.
Names are powerful and I you have chosen two powerful ones "Rachel Elisabeth". She will be a great woman.
Remain Blessed Kristin
Thank you!
How about the Five-Story Lake House – with all of your names listed!!! Because all of you have a story!
I like that but for marketing purposes, I don't want potential renters to think they're renting a five-story house! 🙂 Thanks for thinking about this with me!
Ah, you will rent it. Nope, 5-story won't work!!!
"Make room for grace" >> I'll percolate on that one for a while 🙂
Btw… Congratulations! And thanks for being such an encourager.
I'm glad you can be encouraged here, Christi! Happy Friday! 🙂
Yeah, I'm sorry I left out that detail. We use it often and rent it as a vacation home too. So, you know, if you ever want to come visit Kentucky … 🙂
I have no doubt God will lay on your heart the perfect name for your Lake House. And I am just so excited for your family . . . praying for you all and for that sweet Rachel Elisabeth. :)))
Love you, friend.
xoxo