What God said to Jeremiah, he also says to us. We are not all prophets, but before he formed us in the womb, he knew us. Before we were born, he had a purpose for our lives. (See Ephesians 2:10.)

Our newest granddaughter arrived Friday evening, two hours and thirty-one minutes ahead of her mother’s birthday. Can you imagine all the fun things they will do together to celebrate in the years to come? The mother/daughter adventures will be amazing! Mom loves traveling and fine dining. Can’t you see her introducing her daughter to the finer things of life? This will be enjoyable to observe.

Think about your children and/or grandchildren. Don’t have either? Ponder your parents. Every child is an object of hopes and dreams. Parents and grandparents, family and friends have wonderful plans for the lives of their little ones. Our Father in heaven, as noted above, does as well.

If you could give a newborn a non-material gift of exquisite value, what would it be? 

Years ago, a woman told about attending a dinner of prominent people who tell beautiful stories through books and films. One of those in the circle of friends had welcomed a baby into the world. Around the dinner table, one after another answered the question above. It was a holy moment. 

How would you answer this question for a special little one of your acquaintance?

Next month, another birthday will move me one step closer to regular discounts at movie theaters and buffet restaurants. I still enjoy hearing people express their wonderful hopes and dreams for me, how about you? This is something we do not have to outgrow. 

There are discussions over months leading to the ultimate decision of a name for a newborn. A young man told a group of us a few years ago how he did not have a name for the first six years of his life. His parents simply called him, Boy. Another man recently told me his parents had not come up with a name for him before he was born. It took a full week for them to decide on what to call him.

If you know me well, you have heard me talk about the importance of a name. A young woman working at Starbucks inside the Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Fort Worth asked my name so that she could write it on my cup. When I told her, she said, “That’s my dad’s name!” Our discussions revealed how much she loves her dad. He lives up to his name which means, Beloved. 

The two of us, and many others, share a name now. Jesus says one day we will get a name all to ourselves. It will be a special bond between him and us. It will be the name we live up to, the name we become over the course of our lives.  

This is a good step beyond the question, “What do you want on your tombstone?” or “What do you want people to say about you at your funeral?” This is a far more important question: “What do you want Jesus to name you one day?” or “What name are you in the process of becoming?”

Our Father in heaven’s hopes and dreams for us are far better than any we could come up with on our own. He who dreamed up the universe, and us, dreams better than any we have ever awakened from, or awakened to. 

Ephesians 2:10 and Galatians 2:20 help us understand the meaning of life. God formed us and shaped us and prepared us for something only we can be and do. Jesus comes to live within us by his Spirit when we invite him to do so. He animates all he inspires. He makes possible what would otherwise be impossible. The life of faith fully expresses our new name so that on the day Jesus speaks it, we will immediately recognize it. 

What do you want on your white stone?