He Knows My Name

Has anyone called you by the wrong name? Perhaps someone you haven’t seen for awhile forgot it but gave it a shot. People often refer to me as “Leeann,” and occasionally they use other creative names for me.

During my senior year, I received a new name designed by a group of students who prepared a bulletin board we used in our classroom for half the day. I don’t remember the details, but in their hurry to get it finished, they left the last “n” off my name. I became known as “Luan.”

Earlier in high school, one boy named me “Ugly,” which felt like a slap in the face. He thought I was taking too much space at the chalkboard for our Algebra 2 math challenge. Funny thing is that when he saw me five years later, he approached me and tried out a couple of his best pick up lines. I must have made a huge transformation. (Sounds like an idea for another book!) I don’t think he remembered that we shared chalkboard space in school.

Whether someone refers to you by the wrong name, gives you a funny name, or calls you a hurtful name, remember that God knows your actual name.

I would not forget you!
See, I have written your name
on the palms of my hands.

Isaiah 49:15b-16a, NLT

He knows my name, and He knows yours. He loves us and has not forgotten us. How can He overlook us if He has our name engraved on His palm? We are ever before Him.

Be comforted in knowing that you are in His heart and mind, and He thinks of you often.

Blessings to you and your family as you celebrate the birth of our Savior.


Photo by Jon Tyson - Unsplash

Thankful for the Lord's Peace

Amid another shutdown in New Mexico, I have much to be thankful for. My family is healthy, and we love one another and the Lord. Covid won’t interrupt our gathering together for Thanksgiving. We haven’t done that for 12 years because of 1200 miles that separate us. But Covid may interrupt our plans to spend Christmas together. I’m still thankful. I have the Lord’s peace in my heart.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15, NIV

One of my favorite outings takes place along the Rio Grande. Perhaps you’ve seen the pictures I’ve posted on Facebook. My husband and I walk the trails there often. I’m thankful we can don our masks and enjoy the outdoors together. We say hello to those we pass and often comment on the beautiful day.

One man this past week wasn’t thankful to have us stroll past him or speak to him. He mumbled under his breath that in twenty years of walking the trails, he’d seen more people that day than ever before. An odd statement because the parking lot had several open spots when we pulled in and parked. The man also made the comment that there must have been an AARP conference in town that just let out for all the people he’d seen (including us). Clearly the man was troubled. He called out to us with a loud voice after we passed by and said something about our son. The chance he knew us, or our son (who lives in Tennessee) was slim.

We could have responded with the same level of rudeness he implied. Instead, we walked on. But that wasn’t enough for me—the Lord called me to pray. Whether the man was drunk or high, didn’t matter to me. I prayed for him to get the help he needed and asked the Lord to protect him from harm. I also asked God to remove the man’s heart of stone and to give him a heart of flesh.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you;
I will remove from you your heart of stone
and give you a heart of flesh.
Ezekiel 36:26, NIV

In the troubled times we live in, I’m thankful for the Lord’s peace and will continue to pray for those who may not have the same eternal hope I have.

I’m also thankful for you and leave you with this blessing:

Now may the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.
2 Thessalonians 3:16, NIV

Words of Encouragement

When I was a little girl and felt wounded over something that happened (usually because one of my big brothers teased me), Mom or Dad would rescue me. They invited me to crawl up into their laps, where I found solace as they wrapped their arms around me and spoke words of encouragement.

I often did the same for my children when they suffered trouble or mishaps. I’d call them to me, hold them in my arms, and pray for them.

God desires to do the same for us. Through His mercy, He calls us to Him to comfort us in our times of distress. He invites us to share that same encouragement with others who find themselves in difficult situations.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those
in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV

Comfort here means to encourage, pray, call near, or invite. In what ways do we find the comfort that we need to share with others?

When I’m filled with despair, worry, or concerns about things in my life, God invites me to read His Word where I find strength, peace, and encouragement. He calls me near as I pray and seek His answers to my questions. To rest in God’s love and His Word speaks to me. I can then share His love with others who need support through prayer and words of hope.

Often, I don’t feel worthy of His calling to comfort others. My words of encouragement may not always express what my heart longs to share. But I’m learning to push through that awkwardness and rely more upon the Lord and His reassurance to me as stated in this blessing.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NIV

I’m being strengthened as I step out in faith to bless others through what I do and say. I receive this blessing from the Lord and will continue to do my best to offer words of encouragement to others. This blessing is for you too.


Photo by Niklas Veenhuis - Unsplash

The Waiting

In my blog post, Personal Blessings, I shared how my husband and I have wanted to move back to Tennessee for several years, but we were hesitant to leave our youngest daughter in New Mexico. We believe that God opened the door six weeks ago for our move, when our daughter stated she was ready. Now that we’ve decided to relocate, I don’t enjoy the waiting. I want to hurry back to where the rest of our family lives so we can be together again.

We’d heard stories of offers accepted within ten days when we put our house on the market here in New Mexico three weeks ago. And while the market in middle Tennessee is hot, and they list homes one day and receive an offer within two, we hoped for similar results here. But God has a different plan for us.

After I sent a text to my children in Tennessee expressing my discouragement, I realized I sent that message without forethought. I’d experienced disappointment, not discouragement. I know God is working His plan, and His timing is better than mine. Maybe the home the Lord has for us in Tennessee isn’t available yet. The best thing for me to do is wait and trust.

At the start of 2020, I selected Philippians 4:6 as my verse for the year. I’ve referred to it often.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Verse 7 states the benefit of not worrying but praying instead.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word I selected for 2020 was “trust.” Fits in with my verse, doesn’t it? And appropriate for this year with several travel plans canceled because of COVID-19 and living life outside of any normalcy for the past seven months. Trusting God is the only way to endure these crazy times.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I find peace by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about tomorrow. My focus is on Christ, and I choose to trust Him.

Disappointed, but filled with peace. That’s a good place to be and where I find myself today during the waiting.

What are you trusting and waiting for today?


All scripture references are from the New International Version.

Photo by Anvesh Uppunuthula - Unsplash.