Time or place do not matter, but the words have stayed with me. I bent down to help a little boy put his shoes on the right feet. He just sat down right there in the middle of a busy hallway, so I joined him. The shoes were on their proper feet, but he remained seated. His sweet eyes met mine and he said, “I can’t remember my name.” He knew what his name was now, but he was once called by another name. The frantic search in his mind could not find it. We talked for awhile and I asked questions. How does one forget their name?

As I have thought often about this question, I am reminded of how easy it has been to forget the name the Lord calls me, Beloved. “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12). What love can compare? Do I live like a girl who knows her name or do I try and remember as I walk through my days? Somedays I forget and my actions or words follow.

Yesterday was one of those days where I forgot. The morning time was good as I sat with the Lord in study, prayer and listening. As the day wore on, the list of what needed to be done snowballed and I let myself forget. The day ended with one little girl crying and saying, “Just tell me what I did wrong.” Heartbreaking words to this mom. She was picking out pajamas to wear to school because that is what was requested. She wanted one pair and I wanted another, a cuter pair. What she looked like was more important than her heart in this situation. One thing I never want to do is elevate appearance over her heart and I had. We worked it out and she curled up beside me and said, “I just want to be with you.” Funny how acceptance draws one near. I asked if she would forgive me and said I was sorry. She forgives easy and our relationship was restored. She looked cute as a button in her pajamas today, by the way.

The Lord has entrusted us with raising, shaping four daughters. What I speak and live have got to line up. When I remember my name, who He says I am, they have a mom they can trust. They see compassion, patience, kindness and gentleness. This verse often comes to mind as my years increase, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman that fears the LORD, she will be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30). Appearance is not praised, but fear of the Lord, living on His terms, is what matters. He created us and knows how we can tend to forget and get distracted. Reminding ourselves that we are loved, chosen and accepted stops the striving for external, fleeting beauty. I want my daughters to know and see this in our home.

Some dear woman shared how their grandchildren are blessed with a new name. They pray and ask the Lord to give them a name for each one. Servant Leader and Peacemaker are two of many. I thought about how amazing that would be to have this bestowed on you as a young child. The desire to grow into who they see the Lord has made you to be, must give security. What this has to do to their heart astonishes me and had me longing for such a gift. Since this is the Christmas season and I thought what a wonderful treasure to give to each of our children! They may not have received this from my lips when they were born, but they can hear it now. Many prayers have been prayed for them and I see how the Lord is shaping them daily, but a name sums up so much. So, under the tree this year, each of the kids will receive the gift of a new name all wrapped up. I am praying for each one and look forward to treasuring them in my heart. May they grow to look more and more like Christ and who He says they are, Beloved for starters.

Merry Christmas!