Micah Jude...

Names used to mean something. They used to be important. For us, Micah was easy. It was a unanimous decision, with reason and meaning. There were the joke names that were suggested, but no real contenders.

I wrote what follows the day Micah was born, sat on a beanbag watching TV and waiting for visiting time...​

​One day my son will ask "Why "Micah Jude"?"

My reply?

"Firstly because "Deuteronomy Galatians" doesn't have a great ring to it and borders on abuse.
There's also the whole anagram thing, with me being. "in immoral claws" you are "hola, I'm Mini Claws".
And thirdly, I wasn't allowed anything super-hero related.

But mostly this is my reason and my prayer:

That you will remember always what you are called to:
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6v8)

And remember You are not expected to do this alone:
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen (Jude 24-25)

And my promise to you? I'll try...
Unfortunately I will also fail, but I am here for you and I love you.
As great as I am, your mum is better. As great as we are alone, we are better together. As great as we were before you, we are greater now. But all that is nothing compared to who we are because we have God.

Know Him. Experience Him. Trust Him. Love Him. 

Micah: Who is like Yahweh.
Jude: praise the Lord

That's why."

It's a big responsibility picking a life moniker... one that's not going to result in a lifetime of bullying, or mispronounciation, or misspelling (thanks mum and dad). What if it doesn't suit them? What if I have a nightmare child and ruin that name for everyone else? What if there is some nickname I've missed in my thinking that is entirely inappropriate?