…But He Named Me
16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to
whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of
Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means
“sons of thunder”)…
When I was 2, my parents divorced and my father moved away and
I called myself “Fatherless”.
When I was 5 or 6, the “bad thing” happened and I called
myself “Afraid”.
When I was 7, my mother married a man who adopted me and I
called myself, “Stepson”.
When I was 10, it had become clear that my stepfather was an
abusive alcoholic, and I had learned to call myself, “Unworthy” and “Dumb”.
When I was 16, I discovered the fleeting pleasure and fictitious
escape of drugs, and I called myself, “Junkie”.
When I was 22, I found a career I adored and I called myself,
“Model-builder”.
When I was 29, the economy hit bottom and I called myself,
“Unemployed”.
When I was 35, I married a lover of Jesus and I called myself,
“Husband”.
When I was 38 I became a father of a little boy and I called
myself, “Frightened Father”.
When I was 40, God called to me, louder this time and…a little
while later I called myself, “Believer”.
When I was 45, I looked to Jesus and laid those other names at
His feet. And He gave to me the name, “Beloved Child of God.”
