Back in 1951, the year I was born, mothers stayed in the hospital for one whole week. As the day arrived for me to finally go home my parents still hadn’t picked out a name! If it wasn’t for an ice skater on television that afternoon, named Julie Ann, I wonder who I would have been; Linda, Mary, Patricia, Deborah, Barbara, Susan and Nancy were the top names, Julie was way down the list at 99. It wasn’t until True Woman ’10 that I discovered the true meaning of my name.
My friend, Debbie, and I found our seats early, in
anticipation, with all the seats around us unoccupied. Two women finally sat down right behind us
and before long we were chatting, laughing and getting to know each other. What were the odds of those two women having
the names Julie and Debbie? I’m not
sure, but we were all surprised! Soon I discovered God put them there for a reason.
Julie, I always knew the name meant “Youthful”, and I loved
that meaning. But when my new friend,
Julie, shared with me the meaning of our mutual middle name, Ann, that’s the
moment I fell in love with my name. Youthful
Grace! The beauty of my name caused me
to let out a sigh as I sank into my chair.
It took a few moments to take it in, Youthful Grace, Youthful Grace, it
went swirling through my mind and then past my lips. I love my name! Thank you, Lord! I love my name!
But now
thus says the LORD,
he who
created you, O Jacob,
he who
formed you, O Israel:
“Fear
not, for I have redeemed you,
I have called you by NAME, you are
mine. Isaiah 43:1
Turning 60 years old in 2011, I shared on my Facebook page
that this birthday was, “exhilarating!”
I had no fear of the days ahead, of being “Over the Hill” or put out to
pasture, for I have been named by God Himself and I am His. Youthful Grace!
This promise is not made to me alone, but to everyone who
comes to Christ! We all have the opportunity
to be new creations, perpetual youthful grace, from now until our final breath.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The
old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Debbie and I at True Woman '10. We will both be at True Woman '12, Lord willing!
What an encouraging post, Julie Ann! And what a delightful meaning of your name!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I just looked up Donna and the meaning is, "Lady of the Home", that's you!!
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