We Win or Lose by What We Choose

Two elderly people inspired me this week. Last Friday I visited a friend in the nursing home. It saddens me to watch her gradually lose her mobility and mental sharpness. During this visit we talked about my five children and eight grandchildren. She clapped her hands in delight, exclaiming, "We have so much to be thankful for." Her response took my breath away. This dear friend has no children of her own, her husband has passed away, and all her relatives live hundreds of miles away. Visitors are few and far between. She could be bitter, but she has chosen to find joy in the blessings of others. The genuineness of her words penetrated my heart, reminding me of my need to be thankful in all situations. Would I weather old age as gracefully, choosing to find wonder in small things, ignoring the faculties I have lost?

Today I attended a Bible study and met a ninety-nine-year-old lady. She was spry, sharp, and witty. She recently moved to an assisted living center to ease the worries of family members. She had lived in her own home, far away from relatives who worried they wouldn't be nearby to help if she had an accident. She loves her new place despite the fact she must interact with some bitter and depressed people. "I choose not to be that way," she told us. "There are a lot of people here who need to see a smiling face." She chooses, not only to be happy, but to be light in the darkness.

I pondered the contrast between these two women. But the light of God that shined through their choices is what impressed me--choices based not on their circumstances, but on their ability to see God's goodness in an evil world. This kind of sight takes insight. They choose to use their imaginations to see what God sees.

When I choose God, everything else falls into place. Therefore, my primary goal in life is to look up. This is my writing goal, as well--to help others see from God's perspective.

What's in a Name?

On New Year’s Day my fourth grandson was born! My daughter and her husband spent many hours deciding on the perfect name for their child, Blaise. He is already setting my heart on fire. Every child is special. Each name is important.

My parents put much thought into my name as well. Trouble is, I never liked the name they picked—Cynthia. Sounded like a snooty spinster. Married forty years with five grown children—I’m far from that, but the image lingered in me. One day I stumbled upon a new way to look at my name. I was researching information about cocoons and found a silk worm named Samia Cynthia. Wow. Suddenly, I thought—my name is not aloof, distant, or uncaring. Silk is soft, shiny, luxurious. Something precious and desired. I read further. The Samia Cynthia moth eats leaves from the Ailanthus tree, a Chinese tree whose name means “tree of heaven.” I beamed with new understanding. Not only was my name valuable, it was God’s idea. He chose my name before I was born. I was his treasured child.

In my book, the main character, twelve-year-old Zach Jacobs, also discovers hidden value in his name. He and his friend, Renee McNichols, stumble upon a cellar once used to hide slaves on the Underground Railroad. They find a Bible with a family record page that includes the name Tillie Jacobs, a black servant who helped her mistress conceal runaways. Zach, who is bi-racial, wonders if they are related. A letter sandwiched in the Bible, and other historical information unveil a rich history about his ancestor. The difficulties Zach faces every day (divorced parents and bullies at school) temporarily fade as he ponders where he came from.

Long ago, the angel Gabriel whispered God’s chosen name for the Messiah to his servant, Mary. Did she tell Jesus how he was named? I imagine she did. The name Jesus means Jehovah saves. Did he ponder the meaning of his name in his formative years, as the Father disclosed to him his destiny?

God had a special plan for Jesus. Because he fulfilled what God called him to do, we may go to heaven. But it doesn’t end there. No matter what our parents named us, God has designed a destiny for each of us—something better than we have imagined. We find it when we seek him.