a name

I have a new book - The Naturalist’s Notebook for Tracking Changes in the Natural World Around You (5-year calendar-journal) by N. Wheelwright and B. Heinrich.

This guide has been on my Amazon wishlist for months. As I write so much about nature, I thought it would be fascinating to record some daily observations. It has made me conscious of all that I’m observing out my window and on my walks each day.

I’ve also been prompted to learn the names of some of the creatures and plants I see in our yard: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, Green Lynx Spider, Eastern Tent Caterpillars.

Everything has a name - it’s the way we identify and categorize the world around us. When we forget a name, whether that of a person or a new plant in our garden, we become frustrated.

As far back as creation, naming has been the primary way we begin to organize our world.

Now the Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.

Genesis 2:19-20 NIV

And while God gave Adam the task of naming the world’s living creatures, God Himself chooses to name us. This God-given name is a mystery, to be revealed when we finish the journey and reach our eternal home.

To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.

Revelation 2:17 NLT

What a personal, intimate gift!

So if you’ve ever felt invisible or forgotten or ignored, Jesus is never distracted from seeing you. He pays the closest attention, and never disregards you and your circumstances. You are closely cared for and attended to, by name.

As He did with Peter, He has named you.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

John 1:42 NET

He patiently waits for the perfect moment to reveal it - your name that will last forever. That’s how deeply He loves you. That’s how dear you are to Him.

You - personally.

You are precious in His sight.

He has named you, Beloved.

Today is a GOOD day!
Natalie