What's In A Name. . .

In my business, names are a big deal. Most women come in to Labor & Delivery not only knowing what they want to name their baby, but they have it monogrammed on everything in sight. Picking out a just the perfect name takes thought and time and careful consideration.

I have often wondered what went wrong in my case.

I have heard my mother wanted to name me Phyllis, a much better alternative in my mind. My father, however, insisted on the name I have now, Frances. I don't know where Frances came from. My middle name, which you shall never see here, was after his mother. Just let me say, my middle name makes even "Frances" look good!

I was blessed in the fact, though, that my parents and siblings rarely called me Frances. For as long as I can remember, I have been "Frannie".

I like "Frannie".

It doesn't sound old. It doesn't sound like it should be a middle name that people only hear when one is graduating or getting married. Most of the people I know call me Frannie.

Except my husband. And anyone that knows me through him.

My husband has only called me Frannie once that I can remember in the thirty-five years we have known each other. He says it just "isn't you." I guess it's a matter of perception, it feels like me to me.

That's why the address on the package was so special.

Well, first of all, receiving a surprise package in the mail is always special. But then, seeing it addressed, not to Frances Davis, but to Frannie Davis, put a huge smile on my face.

Even if I had not looked at the return address, immediately I knew who had sent the package. There are few people who know how special that nickname is to me, and this person is one. He knew the name on the package mattered. It makes me think of the verse in Proverbs: "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

One day we will be blessed by a name from another "friend", indeed, greater than a friend. The Scriptures tell us that one day the Lord Himself will give us a white stone. Upon that stone will be a name for us that only the Lord knows. Image that, a name that is so personal for us that it is only known by us and the Lord. A name that is a term of endearment.

People who love each other often have terms of endearment for each other. I call my granddaughter "Princess Pea". My husband calls me "Sweetie Pie". Well, one day, the Lord will give us a personal, private name. What a tender and precious thought. You can be sure, too, that He will have taken great care and consideration, great thought and time in choosing just the perfect name for you, just the perfect name for me. How glorious and blessed is our Lord, our Friend. . .our God.

"He that hath an ear,
let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Revelation 2:17