Revelling...

I come to day seven in my new devotional and there is nothing to study on this day. The writer has designated the seventh day of study as God Encounters. My assignment is to review and reflect and even revel in the ways God has revealed himself to me these last six days.

I decided in a moment to skip it. Let's move forward. I am ready for the next lesson.

This transition in our lives brings me to tears at the strangest times. Yesterday was one of those days. No specific trigger or circumstance...just a momma missing her baby.

This morning the chair I sit in to study is covered in parts of a broken dryer and the repair man is coming. I grab my stuff and go to the kitchen ready to take on the next devo. With the flick of a finger my notebook lights up and there sits an encouragement from a sweet friend.

Isn't it marvelous how God knows just what you need. And what I need is a day of reveling. No word to study...no thoughts to consider...just take time to be. I often tell my friend I never look back at my journal entries...what's the point? We have to move forward, right?

Revel means to take intense pleasure or satisfaction in...even a wild celebration. Maybe this is the key to a day of strengthening.

And so I give thanks
...for a text from my oldest at just the right time
...a friend who leaves me a college mom basket right on my desk
...a mentor who listens through my tears and gives me wise advice
...a sister who walks with me in the late evening even though she is tired
...encouraging words from a sweet friend

Moving forward and growing is a seasonal thing. A cycle of learning, repenting, growing paired with times of reveling. Today I wildly celebrate the one who created this cycle and knows just what I need.

What's Your Name?

We cram in the elevator to see the dorm room for the first time. She stands behind us, the one helping us move in and smiles.

She asks my daughter, "What's your name?" She wants more than just the name. Is it short for something? Why this name? And then she nods and smiles and says she likes it.

Later that day as we finish up the moving, the meeting of a roommate, a trip to Target, and a last meal. I see her again. There she is, taller than most, standing in line for the elevator. She waves at my daughter and then turns to me and says,

"Hey Ronni's mom!"

Just two weeks ago I wanted to know what my name meant. Not the name this girl called me, Ronni's mom, but my name...the one given to me by my parents. There in the quiet I am prompted to search for the meaning. His gentle reminder of who He says that I am.

My pastor reminded me that this is a time of letting go and letting go is hard. Isn't that the journey of being someone's mom...a journey of letting go? It leaves a void at times...her being miles away and so I reach to Him. The one who inspired my name...knew I would need the definition today...reminding me of who I am.

Take a listen to this song I hear on the radio often.  One that reminds me of who I was...of who He is growing me to be.  What would you write on your name tag?  Is it one that He uses to define you?  Is it how He sees you?  Are you stumped?  Search out the meaning or your name...you might be surprised at what you find.

Hello My Name Is