The Name

This evening, I had the privilege of loving on a five-hour-old baby girl. Her sweet head held a full crown of dark hair. Her chubby cheeks glowed as if chapped or sunburned a ruby red hue, which garnered her the nickname "Ruby Red." We latched onto that for a while because her parents hadn't named her.

As the group of welcomers gathered, names flew through the air.

How about Georgia?
Sarah?
Ginger?
Lydia?
Isabella?

Ultimately, her parents settled on Caroline Love though we'll have to see if it sticks long enough to make it onto the birth certificate.

Names mean something. They evoke emotion. Often times, negative feelings.

Remember the name of the kid who teased you in junior high? How about the name of kid who got in trouble all the time? If you're like me, those names don't make the cut when thinking about names for your future children.

And neither do weak names. I like a name that not only sounds strong but has strong meaning. With so many requirements to fulfill, it's a wonder that any child leaves the hospital with a name.

I love that God kept it simple when Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them?"

God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " (Exodus 3:13-14)

Often I try to fill in the rest of God's name for Him, e.g., "I AM Provider," or "I AM Protector." And though God fulfills all of those roles, He doesn't need more of a name to define Him. He is Who He says He is: "I AM."

So as Caroline Love begins her life on this earth, I pray that she would draw near to I AM and glorify Him with her life. If she'll live out her middle name, she won't go wrong.