The Importance of Being Named
August 25, 2018
My husband Jordan and I are in the midst of choosing a name for our firstborn. We have chosen not to find out the baby's sex, so while we have a girl name locked in, we continue to deliberate on a boy name and, subsequently, (a) middle name(s). The baby will be here sometime in November if they keep cookin' as they should, so we still have some time... but this is a serious task!
Naturally, I've been thinking a lot of "what's in a name?" and the power of parents to speak into the lives of their children. How do we want to name not just their person, but their qualities, their strengths, their fears, their joys, our joys in them, their beauty... naming is an important part of relationships.
My name is Rachel. It means "innocent lamb" or "little lamb". Especially as a child, I enjoyed being a content follower-lamb to my big sister, or my parents, or older cousins. However, I would imagine most people who know me as an adult would not call me a follower, although, at my best, I am soft, teachable, vulnerable, and happy to be led.
My middle name is Renée. I was given my paternal grandfather's first name. When I gave up my maiden name when I married Jordan, I was glad that I have his name buried in the middle of my given and taken names... because I'm from his family, and that is an important part of who I am.
My last name is now Pipher. I chose to take my husband's last name to show our family-unit-ness in a name. I like being Rachel Pipher because I am proud to be Jordan's family.
I have many nicknames. They are some of the most prominent things I have been called in my life. Here are a few: Gigs, Auntie Gigs, Uncle Rachel, Diddy, Fluffer, Rachie, Miss, Rach-to-the-H, Sweetpea.
I have had a few different titles and informal roles. Daughter, Sister, Wife/Bride, Friend, Mentor, Director, Assistant, Student, Social Worker, Worship Leader, Speaker, Counsellor...
But I have a deeper names. I have a fuller titles. My most anchored identity was given to me before my first cry. Since then, it is continually spoken to the depths of who I am and is not shifted by circumstance. I am more known, more loved, more safe in my identity of daughter in Christ than I am by any of the heritage, labels, or status I could try acquire.
I think it's important that an individual know how to answer the following questions: Who are you? Who told you? One of my prayers for our unborn baby is that they would know the depths and truth of their identity. I feel confident that we will do an okay job naming them, but that will always be secondary to Who they are given their truest names by. The truth is, our child is loved by, formed by, known by the Maker of the heavens and the earth. The foundations upon which they are established in Christ are not shakeable. They are not altered. Though circumstances change, their identity, because of God, is steadfast.
ISAIAH 43:1-2
But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity];
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
Naturally, I've been thinking a lot of "what's in a name?" and the power of parents to speak into the lives of their children. How do we want to name not just their person, but their qualities, their strengths, their fears, their joys, our joys in them, their beauty... naming is an important part of relationships.
My name is Rachel. It means "innocent lamb" or "little lamb". Especially as a child, I enjoyed being a content follower-lamb to my big sister, or my parents, or older cousins. However, I would imagine most people who know me as an adult would not call me a follower, although, at my best, I am soft, teachable, vulnerable, and happy to be led.
My middle name is Renée. I was given my paternal grandfather's first name. When I gave up my maiden name when I married Jordan, I was glad that I have his name buried in the middle of my given and taken names... because I'm from his family, and that is an important part of who I am.
My last name is now Pipher. I chose to take my husband's last name to show our family-unit-ness in a name. I like being Rachel Pipher because I am proud to be Jordan's family.
I have many nicknames. They are some of the most prominent things I have been called in my life. Here are a few: Gigs, Auntie Gigs, Uncle Rachel, Diddy, Fluffer, Rachie, Miss, Rach-to-the-H, Sweetpea.
I have had a few different titles and informal roles. Daughter, Sister, Wife/Bride, Friend, Mentor, Director, Assistant, Student, Social Worker, Worship Leader, Speaker, Counsellor...
But I have a deeper names. I have a fuller titles. My most anchored identity was given to me before my first cry. Since then, it is continually spoken to the depths of who I am and is not shifted by circumstance. I am more known, more loved, more safe in my identity of daughter in Christ than I am by any of the heritage, labels, or status I could try acquire.
I think it's important that an individual know how to answer the following questions: Who are you? Who told you? One of my prayers for our unborn baby is that they would know the depths and truth of their identity. I feel confident that we will do an okay job naming them, but that will always be secondary to Who they are given their truest names by. The truth is, our child is loved by, formed by, known by the Maker of the heavens and the earth. The foundations upon which they are established in Christ are not shakeable. They are not altered. Though circumstances change, their identity, because of God, is steadfast.
ISAIAH 43:1-2
But now, this is what the Lord, your Creator says, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you [from captivity];
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
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