A good name is to be chosen than great riches
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”
Proverbs 22:1
It was at my husband’s birthday lunch that we found out the news. It took a moment as we read the card for the reality to sink in.
“Dear Grandpa, you don’t know me yet, but the doctor says you will around March 6th. I’m looking forward to meeting you. Happy 50th birthday! Love your Grandkid.”
Suddenly we joined the club of other smiling “older” folks called grandparents. We didn’t have any pictures to show yet but we did get to see a glimpse of our still unknown offspring through a grainy ultrasound photo. It was fun to see its head was shaped just like my babies. Our first grandchild! It was so exciting and so much to dream about and anticipate. Would “it” be a boy or girl? What would “it” look like? What kind of personality would “it” have? As the days and weeks crept by I began to bond with and pray for this little one being created in seclusion by a loving heavenly Father. I found myself praying that this little one would have a gentle spirit and a heart for God.
One day Viv, Jill, and I were having lunch together and Jill and I were trying to weasel out of Viv what the “its” name would be. Finally, I said, “whatever you do, if it is a girl, just don’t name her Emily!” I just did not care for that name. There are times when it is best to not say out loud what you think! Unbeknownst to me, I created a real problem for the expectant parents. After seeking counsel from several other people, they decided to stick with their name of choice.
I have made it a habit through the years to pray for my children, even before they were born. When they were little I started praying for their spouses. As the children’s personalities developed, I prayed for specific personalities for each of their spouses. It was so neat to see how God answered each one.
It is interesting to me to observe people’s names and to see how often their personalities reflect the meaning of our names. Is it by coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not. I choose to believe that godly parents who seek God’s favor are given divine guidance in naming their children. In the Bible God sometimes told parents what to name their children and what the life mission of that child would be. God’s eyes see and know our substance being formed. (Psalms 139:16)
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:4
When tiny, precious Emily was born, her mother, unaware of my prayer for a spirit of gentleness said, “We like the name Emily because it makes us think of a gentle, sweet person.” As I watch our oldest granddaughter develop, I am grateful to God for her gentle, sweet nature. And guess what? I immediately loved the name Emily! How could I not, God had smiled with delight as he answered my prayer!
Happy 19th birthday Emily!
