Tip of My Iceberg

My friends Emily and Alex had their little girl three months ago, and because of a crazy busy schedule, I hadn’t had the chance to meet this delightful little bundle of joy.

Meeting her was a treat. Even at three months of age, she smiles freely and effortlessly, finding great joy in everyone and everything around her. What makes her even more special is her name–Isley. Her name is the same as one of my grands.

I hadn’t ever known anyone named Isley until my daughter and son-in-law chose that name for their little girl. I saw it as novel and interesting. My daughter dared me to come up with a nickname for her–I have a habit of nicknaming people as a means of endearment. She didn’t think it was possible.

So she has become Isel or Iselberry, both of which are fun and indicate to my little gal that she’s special.

So I called Emily’s little girl, Isel, and she also commented on my need to nickname. In my defense, most people I talk to are aware that a nickname comes from a well-intentioned heart full of compassion.

Not always. A mother once came to me after I called her daughter Sus, a shortened form of Suzanne. She informed me she preferred I use her full name.

Names are special because they’re given to us by our families for reasons often beyond our understanding. I’m Dayle, and I have a twin sister, Gayle. I’m not quite sure if our folks intended it for fun or confusion, but I’ve only known one other Dayle in my life that was a girl.

I’m unique.

Names are given to remind people of someone who went before them, someone special in their lives. People are named after relatives, characters in books, or movies. Names are sometimes made up of different parts of names for distinctness.

Among Jewish people, names are very carefully given to honor family, express blessings, and connect the child to his or her heritage and history. If a child receives the name of someone admired, the hope is that they’ll emulate the virtues and character of that individual.

Jesus knows each of us by name. His longing is that we would choose to know Him as intimately, feeling the freedom to call upon Him in need, to seek Him for comfort and strength, to lean into Him in times of trouble or confusion. And those who choose to know Him personally are also given a name, one that will be with us throughout eternity, a name He chooses for us.

“And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17b.

Why receive a new name? I think it has a lot to do with us being called to be with Him in heaven. New names that won’t reflect any sadness or shame connected with what we have been or done here. Names that will define as as we are–His chosen ones.

“Father, I want these whom You have given Me to be with Me where I am. Then they can see all the glory You gave me because You loved Me even before the world began!” John 17:24

Emily and Alex named their little girl a name they liked. It would be wonderful if she grew to be like our Isley, because that young lady is pretty awesome.

The best name?

“Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all names.” Philippians 2:9.

Can’t get a name any better than that.