Laced With Grace

“All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
That the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
~ II Timothy 3: 16,17 (NAS)

The phone rang. (Do phones actually, still RING?) OK- The phone BEEPED. I answered.
“Hi- Tracey, This is ____________, good to talk to you!”

The call went on without surprise. What was surprising, however, was how I felt about being called by my name. “Tracey”. It made me smile.

I felt recognized. I felt “Known.” It was a good feeling. That surprised me. I was surprised, because this hasn’t always been my response to my name. I used to hate it.

As a teen, I made up all sorts of much more (at the time) romantic sounding names…. “Patricia Lynetta” was a favorite. In French class I chose “Gabriella” as my nom de’classe. (class name) I had a small circle of friends- and we had nicknames for each other- There were 7 of us…. go ahead, take a guess what our groups nickname “theme” was!) My made up names (well, with the exception of the nickname thing) sounded so much more impressive than “Tracey Lynn.” I just didn’t like it. (Sorry, Mom!)

However, this week, when the phone rang, and I was recognized by name? I liked it. It felt good. As a stay at home (in theory) mom, I am more often called “Mom , Mother, Mommy” in varying tones of imploring, love and incredulity. (This is what happens when you have teenagers and a kindergartner, you’re called all sorts of things.) When my husband is home, I hear “Honey, babe” and a few other sweet things. (A Girl’s gotta keep her romantic secrets;) But, my name? My actual name? It may be weeks before I hear it again.

Whether you like you’re name or not- for most of us- there is just something special about being called by your name. It is personal. Especially, when it’s God who is calling.

The day of the phone call, during my devotions, I came across this:

Isaiah 43: 3-7 (ESV)

I will give you the treasures of darkness
and the hoards in secret places,
that you may know that it is I, the LORD,
the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
For the sake of my servant Jacob,
and Israel my chosen,
I call you by your name,
I name you, though you do not know me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other,
besides me there is no God;
I equip you, though you do not know me,
that people may know, from the rising of the sun
and from the west, that there is none besides me;
I am the LORD, and there is no other.
I form light and create darkness,
I make well-being and create calamity,
I am the LORD, who does all these things.

HE knows me by name. HE calls me by name. ALWAYS. Whether my ears hear it or not- my heart does. What He calls me, isn’t just what I sign on checks and permission slips. He also calls me His child. As my Heavenly Father- He’s also chosen a new name for me- one I’ll learn in heaven.

Revelation 2: 17
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.”

Today- when (or if) someone uses you’re name-I pray you’ll be reminded of the one who knows you and loves you and calls you by name. I also pray that you’ll be reminded of the one who has chosen a new name for you, one that only He knows. A name waiting for you, if you trust in Him, in heaven. (Mine will be more romantic sounding, I’m sure)

His name, is Jesus.

Dear Jesus- your’s is the name above all names. I love and honor you. God, I pray that all coming here would hear you call their name and would trust in you, someday receiving a new name in heaven, especially chosen by you. I love you Lord- amen.

A few days ago I was preparing to laminate some pictures for my classroom on my new laminating machine.  I waited for it to warm up, put the first picture in the laminating sheet and tried to feed it through the machine.  It refused to go through.  I tried again several times but to no avail.  By this time I was both frustrated and panicked.  I had purchased the laminating machine in Florida so it wasn’t as if I could jump in my car and return it to the store if it was defective.

As I sat there frustrated and just a tad bit upset, I heard that still, small voice saying, “read the instructions.” So I pulled out the instructions (like I should have done in the first place.) As I looked at the instructions I realized that I was trying to feed the paper through the wrong end.  Yep, I went through at least 15 minutes of frustration because I was too impatient to take two minutes and read the instructions.

 “If you want to know the purpose of a thing, you ask the manufacturer.  Dr. Myles Munroe

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11 KJV 

So many times in life we experience frustrations because we don’t want to take the time to see what the instruction manual says.  Every problem we will ever encounter God has addressed in the instruction manual he left us called the Bible.  Unfortunately, many times we just skim the surface and don’t really internalize his word.  However, the only way we will really have a meaningful relationship with God and understand what His purpose is for our lives is if we take time out of our busy schedules to study his word.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

My prayer today is that I would not try to navigate life on my own strength but that I would always consult the instruction manual that the creator has left in place for me.  It makes life so much easier.