A New Name

Anytime there’s a name change, something new is taking place. I remember how I felt when I changed back to my maiden name after being divorced for 12 years. My kids were almost adults. The attachment to my married name didn’t fit who I was anymore. A lot of changes happened in 12 years, including me. I was a new person because of all God had done in my life.

It felt so good to be called by my new name, even though it’s who I was for the first 19 years of my life.

I know. A name is just a name, and my identity lies in Christ. Like it or not, though, sometimes a name can loom over you like a dense cloud, but it doesn’t have to.

You don’t have to change your name to enjoy new life in Christ. But God will call you by a new name anyway. How about, Hephzibah? Isaiah 62: 4. Hephzibah means “my delight is in her”.

God calls you and me, My Delight.

Markers for Single Moms is getting a new name. And a new look. Why?

I’m a woman in need. You’re a woman in need, whoever you are. We’re all in need of God’s direction. Single moms. Single again. Never married. Married again.

Jesus said to Simon, Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch. Luke 5:4.

Simon explained to Jesus how they’d been fishing all night with no success, but because Jesus said so, Simon let down the nets in deeper water. (Luke 5:5)

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Luke 5:6

I don’t have a fancy explanation for the name change, other than the Lord has given clear direction. A new directional marker has been staked down and I will follow. 

The new name will be revealed very soon.

What new direction is God leading you? What new marker has He staked down in your life, pointing in the direction He wants you to go?

I invite you to share in the comments below, something new God is doing in your life and where He is leading you.

…you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow. Isaiah 62:2

Junk to Treasure

The summer of 1987 was a life changer for me. Circumstances in my life were leading me down the road into single parenthood. 

I liken it to being on a runaway train, approaching a track change and having no control over the change of direction it was taking me and my children.

If someone had told me where I’d be 20 years later it would have made the journey easier. 

If someone had told me the hardships and struggles I’d experience, I would have jumped off that speeding train.

 

Every heartbreak, betrayal, loss, mistake, and disappointment was a pile of junk. I felt all that junk was a huge waste of my life and my children’s lives. I couldn’t see the good in any of it or what purpose it could possibly ever serve.

But God had a plan for all that junk. All the long, dark nights

and secret places I lived with pain and loss, He turned into treasures.

His word became a soothing balm. He answered needy cries for help and healing. He steadied the out-of-control train and made sure it didn't crash.

Through it all my relationship with God became real and intimate. I learned that He didn’t just provide salvation through Jesus Christ, but He’s steadfast, full of compassion and cares about every detail of my life.

He’s taken the junk and mess of my life and brought into reality a dream and vision for single-parent ministry.

Spring Ministries, located in Covington, Georgia is experiecing God's specific and personal involvement and provision.

He's also given me a writing ministry that continues to

unfold. What once was something that made me want to jump off a runaway train has surprisingly become my greatest passion. 

Only our God can do that! 

What the devil thought would destroy me has done the opposite. What he meant for harm actually played right into the hand of Almighty God.

My Heavenly Father made good on His promise in Isaiah 45:3. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 

This same promise is for you. What darkness in your life can you let God have? What hurt, betrayal, mistakes and disappointments will you let go of and give to Him? He'll take your piles of junk and turn them into treasures that will exceed your wildest imagination.

Use the comment section below to share some of the junk you'd like to see God turn into treasures. He will never waste a hurt that's surrendered to Him.

Treasures abounding,

Terri