NAMING IT

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4

"There was a man named Jabez who was more distinguished than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful." 1 Chronicles 4:9 NLT

Almost every I know who has been expecting a new baby, including myself, has poured over a list of names.

Has bought the book...

Used internet searches...

Dug into family ancestry...

Asked opinions...

Just to find the right name for the soon to be arriving child. 

Except Jabez's momma.

No doubt she had a tough labor and delivery, as indicated by the Scripture passage. Undoubtedly she struggled to bring Jabez into the world.

But to name him for the struggle, not for his potential?

To name him for a brief time in history, not for the possibility of his future?

To label him with a negative, when the prospective of his life was a blank canvas?

But before we tssk-tssk her into the annals of shameful history, let's take a look at ourselves:

Do we do the same with every inconvenience, interruption and detour from our own plans?

Do we call it a failure--when it's truly a lesson to learn from?

Do we name it defeat--when it's merely a postponement of success?

Do we tag it as a fiasco--when it's simply God re-designing our plans into His?

I'm convicted to look past present circumstances with hope. I'm determined to think past the here and now, the frustration and disappointment, to see God at work.

'Jabez' is off the table in regards to naming my problems!