Who Are You?

When I was a little girl, my daddy had nicknames for all the children in our family. My nickname was Molly Kate. Now, my name is neither Molly, nor Kate, but that’s what he often called me. “Where are you going, Molly Kate?” he might ask. “What are you doing, Molly Kate?” was another question that I often heard. I knew that he was speaking to me, and even though that wasn’t my name, I still answered.

Also, as is common in southern families, my family called me by my first and middle name. Although it pains me to let it be known, my given name is Mary Edith. So, in my younger years, I might hear, “Mary Edith, go outside and play.” Or, “Mary Edith, supper’s ready.” Or, “Mary Edith, get down from there!”

Then, something glorious happened! I started first grade. My wonderful teacher, Mrs. Southgate, only called me by my first name. “Mary, you may erase the board,” she would say. “Mary, you are the leader today.” Oh, how I loved the sound of that! I went home and announced that, from that day forth, I would answer to my first name only. I still have a few cousins that call me Mary Edith, but I shudder inside when I hear it.

In later years, my students called me Mrs. Jenkins. Even now, I may be in the grocery store, and halfway down the aisle, I’ll hear, “Mrs. Jenkins! Remember me?” I’ll turn and see one of my former students smiling and waving. I still answer to Mrs. Jenkins. Sprinkle in quite a few, “Aunt Mary’s.” I answer to that, too. Then, came my personal favorite…someone calls me Mom. I will always answer to Mom.

Similarly, my husband’s given name is Edward. His father’s name was Edward. His grandfather’s name was Edward. Every ancestor as far back as we could trace had the name Edward, as either a first or middle name. Our son’s name is Benjamin Edward. However, since my husband’s father was called Bud, my husband, by default, was called Buddy. He answered to either one. Then, when we met and married, I just called him Ed.

Recently I came across a Bible verse that reminded me of what God calls us.

1 John 3:1 (NKJV), tells us, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God.”

Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV), tells us, “ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.”

If we are God’s children, we know his voice. We should answer when He calls. What is God calling us to do? We can find this in 
2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people, who are called by MY NAME, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

So, whether you answer to Molly Kate, Mary Edith, just Mary, Ed, Edward, or Buddy…the main thing is to listen for His voice…and answer when He calls.

HAVE A GREAT THURSDAY!