A Name

A fellow Chiba Team member just had a baby. Laying in bed last night thinking of the great name they gave this precious child got me thinking of my own kids names. I love to hear when someone has a new baby and the name they have chosen and why. It makes me reflect on the prayers we have for our own children in why/how we chose their names...that their names would be a heritage and would be a constant reminder of God's grace and goodness.

For each kid we picked a Biblical name and a family name.

Hana Megumi: Hana is flower in Japanese, Megumi is Grace. Even though the spelling is different I thought of Hannah from the Bible- who is hurt and troubled so much that she weeps bitterly to the Lord and asks that He might have favor on her. God hears her call and blesses her. But then Hannah does something- she gives her son over to the Lord, because He had found favor with her and had blessed her. This has always struck me.

Our prayer for our eldest is that she would be like Hannah from the Bible- that when she receives a blessing from God, that she would turn around and offer it right back to Him. That she would realize that every good gift that she receives is not by her works, or chance, but given by a loving God and because of this she would praise Him continually. Also that she would turn to Him in her hurt, depend on Him rather than things of this world.

Titus Nathaniel: Titus was chosen because Titus in the Bible was a missionary who worked with Paul.

Our prayer for our son is that he would follow the example of Titus from the Bible and go out into all the world and be used for God's glory. That he would not be consumed with selfish desires to be comfortable- but that he would live a life that is radical and for the purpose of HIS glory and kingdom. That he would grow up knowing that life is not worth living unless it is for God's kingdom, and not our own.

Alee Moriah: Alee was made up using my fathers "A" for Ariel and "Lee" for both my father's and mother's middle name. Moriah was chosen as a reminder to us and her as she grows of God's goodness and mercy. That as Abraham was willing to take his only son up on Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him and be obedient to God, that God blessed him in return. That when we are called to do things that hurt or we do not understand, that we can obey knowing that we have a loving God who will not leave us, but has mercy and compassion on us.

It is our prayer that as Alee grows that she would have faith like Abraham and her grandpa. That she would trust even in the painful, hard times, knowing that it is for God's glory and that because of her obedience she will be blessed and be drawn closer to God.