Lovey. Sweetie. Little Bean. Bubs. I have so many nicknames for my kids, it’s a wonder they answer to their Christian names.
Some parents get their children’s official monikers mixed up. I remember my mother tripping over her three choices when she was angry or in a rush. Robin—Becky—Sarah—whatever your name is! Get in here!
Me? I even get my girls’ pet names confused.
“How’s your breakfast, Sunshine?”
“Mooooom!” my eldest scolded. “My sister is your Sunshine. I’m your Joy!”
Which begs the question, is it time to ix-nay the nicknames?
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,” (Isaiah 9:6).
Ohhh. God had nicknames. Not just nicknames, but actual capital-letter designations. The different aspects of his character were so powerful, they commanded their own titles.
Wonderful Counselor. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. And so many more throughout the Bible—Yahweh, Redeemer, King of Glory, the Lamb, Bread of Life, Alpha and Omega, the Mighty One, I AM.
My favorite is Emmanuel. It means “God with us.” A precious child, born in a homely stable, was our all-powerful, ever-loving God in delicate flesh.
And he had a mom. I wonder—did she ever call him sweetheart?
Which flies us full circle to my kids. Pondering this connection between the Lord’s many names and the goofy handles I give my girls, well, I kind of felt like God and I just had a little moment.
“Would you like some grapes, Peanut?”
“Mom, you can’t call me Peanut,” my preschooler replied.
“Why not?”
“Because Nana’s cat is named Peanut. Call me Lovey.”
I guess nicknames do have their limits. But for now, I’m sticking with them.
Blessings,
Becky
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- Heaviness and Newness - December 23, 2016
