The Storyteller Squad

The Power of a Name

I want to tell you a story. Once there was a young girl. Her name meant helper of mankind. Just days after her birth, a close family member passed away unexpectedly. It was heartbreaking for many. The funeral services were planned, and since this child was the granddaughter of the deceased, she attended everything in her parents’ arms.

It didn’t take long for the child to start living up to her name. What a ray of sunshine this mere 7-pound person created. Family and friends alike held her, stroked her thick head of hair, kissed the top of her head, and smiled as they watched her sleep peacefully. I can’t tell you how much she helped people get through those few days. She certainly started her life living up to the name God had predetermined for her.

Have you ever thought about your name and what it means? Do you know God specifically called you and named you? Depending on what definition you read, my name means courageous, or, according to the Irish definition, warlike or fighter. I always told people I’d prefer to be known as courageous, although my husband might tell you otherwise.

It took a while, but eventually a major lightbulb went off in my mind. We’re talking it was bright enough to light up a runway. I never wanted to be known as someone who liked to fight. You see, I’ve struggled with insecurity for years, and oftentimes fear would attach itself to that insecurity. So reminding myself that I was courageous, that I was strong and brave and bold, was something I needed to hear. Desperately. And to remind myself that God was the one who gave me that name was empowering for me. Anytime I thought about the warlike definition, I always pictured a bunch of people fighting like in the Mel Gibson movie Braveheart (until I was reminded that his character was Scottish, not Irish). But then God got ahold of my mind and revealed something amazing to me.

How do we have victory in our lives? Every day we face spiritual battles. You know, those ugly, dark creepers mulling around in our brain that become our thoughts and eventually our actions. How do we overcome? By fighting! YES! God showed me that He created me to fight! I am a fighter and will never again be ashamed of the name my Creator has given me.

Tracy Popolizio

Tracy Popolizio has the opportunity to teach reading and writing to fifth graders every day. She writes inspirational middle grade fiction, with a passion to enrapture preteens in a discovery of God’s truths between the covers of a book. She shares her passion for writing and the writing process with students of various grade levels. Tracy also speaks about her personal experiences with God and how our thought processes can lead to a victorious life. In her free time, Tracy enjoys reading, playing the piano, dancing, and taking walks with her husband, as well as spending time with her two almost-grown children and four cats. Tracy lived in Connecticut her whole life until recently when the Lord called her family to South Carolina. You can learn more about Tracy at www.tracypopolizio.com.

6 comments

  • My name is Jillian, meaning “child of the gods.” This is very true, for I owe my whole life to God and he is my everlasting father.

    • Thank you, Sharon. I know for me sometimes I forget the battle is ongoing but it’s so important to remember everyday!

  • My name, Gretchen, means “pearl.” We all know where pearls are found–hidden inside ugly, rough oyster shells. Pearls first begin in oysters as as tiny pieces of sand that irritate and cause pain. In order to protect itself, the oyster secretes materials to form around the sand. Through a biological process and over a long period of time, a pearl is formed. I love this picture of how God can transform hardship and pain into something–a pearl–of great value. We have an amazing God who through forgiveness and grace, creates treasures in unlikely places. Do I feel like a pearl? No. But I’m praying that God continue work in my life.

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