It's My Name +

Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 
Isaiah 43:1b NLT

If you've been with me for any length of time, you've seen me go from lamenting to laughing about people who want to argue with me over how my name "should be" pronounced. Really? It's my name. I've had it all my life. Granted, I may be older now, but I still know my own name.

I can top that story. For the last month, I've been in deep discussion with a certain state office that wanted to argue with me about my legal name - the one I've had for years. It would be different if I had a nickname on a legitimate form of ID, but all of my identifying documents have the same name  - mine - that is, except for my recently-issued driver's license because I couldn't convince them with a certified copy of my birth certificate, my SS card, last year's W-2, my electric bill, and my recently expired driver's license (I know - my fault) that I am me. They issued with a name from my past (WAY past). That's who I was - it's not who I am now.

But...Praise God! He's shown me yet again, that it doesn't matter who tries to put what on me, in more ways than one - and in the most important way that counts - by the great Grace of God, I am NOT who I was. I am changed. HE ransomed me and He has called me by name - His.

Prayer:

Father,
           I will not be afraid. I have heard You call my name. I know Whose I am and who I am in You. I thank You for all that You've done, all that You're doing, and all that You're going to do. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen