A Good Name

The white page before me is screaming to be written on.  No words are coming to mind.  Sometimes writing is forced.  But not tonight.  The need to make any sense suddenly matters little.  All that matters is that what's inside my head gets put down on paper.  I'm not one for profound sayings or lyrics, but I do love to write.  To capture a thought, a smell, a feeling, or a melody through the art of arranging certain words amazes and gives me great pleasure.  Therefore I cannot help but write.  Writing for school is tiresome.  But this is a haven for me. A place where I can jot down on paper the things clogging my mind.

Starting September 1 I started going through the book of Proverbs.  I am now on Proverbs 22.  The first verse says, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches..."  I do not usually give thought to my name, but now that it comes to mind, I cannot help but be grateful to my parents who so carefully chose the names of me and all my siblings.  My name is quite unique for a girl.  Mainly because its a boys name. But I think that's what makes it so special to me. I can honestly say that I wouldn't trade it for any other.  My name means a narrow, secluded valley.  Interesting how names really do serve as an accurate description of a person.  For all my siblings, their names can be related to their personality and character.

Well everyone but maybe Thomas, because Thomas means twin and my brother has no twin. I remember when I was 6 or so I used to tell myself I was going to marry Thomas someday... better not mention this to his soon to be bride. :)  Such an absurdity was all innocence for my 6 year old mind, but I know now exactly where I was coming from.  What an amazing man my brother is!  I still compare guys to him, and know that whoever I marry will have some similar characteristics that he has.  As I am myself lacking in relationship skills, my brother smoothes over any awkwardness or stiffness.  He asks all the right questions and always has learned wisdom to offer.  I soak it up like a sponge.  And even though he's five years older than me, I still love to be around him and long to know him better.

Ruth means friendship and my sister has been the truest of friends.  I have been abundantly blessed by her constancy in my life, and by the faithful way she loves and reaches out to me. I don't think I've ever striven to copy or emulate someone more.  I'm always asking myself, "what would ruth think? wear? say? do?" Have you ever known the feeling of being without words but knowing its okay to be silent?  Ruth is that person to me.  When words are just not enough...she's showed me it's okay not to say anything at all.  Thank you Ruth.

Philip means lover of horses.  I'm not sure how much my brother loves horses but for some reason, maybe because its been his name since forever, if fits him perfectly.  I'm not going to try and stretch the meaning out of its context and say that Philip means something other than a lover of horses, but I will say that if Philip had a horse, that horse would feel like the most important horse in the world.  Really Philip could be paraphrased to mean "lover of dogs."  I don't think I know of anyone who loves our dog more than Philip.  He always plays and cuddles with Elsie.  I think to relate to animals you have to have a certain amount of sensitivity and intuition.  My brother is an extremely sensitive and thoughtful person.  If I ever need someone to listen and give me sincere feedback Philip is always there for me.  I don't ever want that to change.

Could a name be more perfectly chosen and handmade for my sister, Bonnie?  Bonnie means beautiful.  And oh! is my sister beautiful.  Her beauty radiates from the inside out.  Possibly the sweetest, most dear soul I have ever known, Bonnie oozes joy and is filled with fresh life.  Whenever I've been sick or down, I've always been the fortunate recipient of her encouraging notes and simple acts of service.  Her smile will bring joy and light to anyone's day.  Bonnie exudes a persona rich with beauty, both physical and spiritual.  I cherish all the nights she climbed in bed beside me and all the long car rides to practice we shared.  Sweet times with a most beautiful person.

Yahweh has blessed me far beyond my deserving.  How I could burst with joy at this moment!  A verse that has repeatedly come to my mind this year is Lamentations 3:19-24:


I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”  

May God be glorified--even through my unworthy praise and offerings.  He has blessed me in-spite of my sin.  His mercies are new every morning.  One of these "mercies" is my wonderful family who have embraced me fully, and withheld none of their love.  Thank you Mom, Dad, Thomas, Ruth, Philip, and Bonnie.  Thank you for the rich heritage we share and for the "good name" of Roberts-Gibson.  Forgive my scattered thoughts and ill writing.  Words are not enough.  I love you.

To him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at word within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout ALL GENERATIONS, for ever and ever!