I Called Myself

…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.”