What's in a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell just as sweet"

-Juliet by way of William Shakespeare

As  a teacher I am always thinking of creative themes and cutsie names for different aspects of the classroom life.  I love movies and musical so I often think of "if my life was a movie" (really a musical because how much more fabulous would life be if we all busted out in song and synchornized dance) what would the title be? 

And I didn't use any of my normal strategies to come up with this name.  I used a very wise man's nickname for me. 

My Dad

Doesn't this picture just exude wisdom and aging gracefully?  Well, whatever you may be thinking about good ol' Randal, he is the origin of this blog's namesake.

For as long as I can remember he has greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek and a tender "hey my Sweet E Bee."  Even if I just leave the room sometimes it elicits this same response.  He is a very tender-hearted man, an introvert to the core, a science nerd, a husband of 35 years, a father of (almost) 29 years, but most importantly he is a man of God and believer of Christ.

My dad carries a legacy of deep faith and trust in Jesus.  His parents Mama Mimi and Grandpa Mac had a covenant marriage in one of the purest ways of experiencing it here on Earth.  From their devotion life, to their love of the church, to their raising a family, and discipling their grandchildren, my grandparents had a Kingdom oriented marriage.  Mama Mimi is living and she is the spunkiest 87 year old I know.  Grandpa Mac lived a life of intrigue and adventure and went to be with His Savior in 2005.  I'll write more about these wonderful folks later. 

Back to Randal, from his parent's discipleship he grew in love with the Word, prayer, fellowship, and sharing the Gospel.  Personally, I love my dad's joy and deep study of the Old Testament.  Often times when we begin sharing what we've read he has these nuggets of gold from the patriarchs of the faith.  He may not admit this but I see that he has a heart for Jewish people and showing them their Redeemer.

It is from the father my dad is that I have a beautiful and privileged understanding of THE FATHER.  Unconditional love, discipline, justice, forgiveness, joy, sorrow, discernment, grace, wisdom, and so many more characteristics of God I experience through the life of my earthly father.  I see the image bearer of Christ my father is and pray that I could be wed to a man surrendered to Christ just as he is.  Many verses come to mind when I think about my dad's reflection of my heavenly Father:

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.  And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth..." -Genesis 1:26

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ...But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God." - 1 Corinthians 11: 1, 3

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity" -Proverbs 2:6-7

So now you know the man behind the blog name.  I love him dearly and I am so proud and so pleased to be his daughter.

Already...not yet

Lately Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song "The Waiting" has echoed through my head over the past couple of weeks...well maybe months.  The choruses are what gets me and what I have heard as the song in my head:
The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it on heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Now I'm not a gambler, not toker  and I don't believe in cards telling the fate of life, but 'the waiting is the hardest part' could not be more real at this moment. I was reminded today but a dear friend that waiting has occured in most of the greatest stories in history.  Romeo and Juliet raptured in love at first sight but then were drawn into a period of waiting.  Cinderella waiting for Prince Charming to realize the slipper he held was not that of a noble woman but a slave.

And this waiting transcends the fables of childhood into the metanarrative that The Creator authored.  Men like Noah, Joseph,  Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David and so many more that surrendered to the will of the One who authored all their days...and mine.  Yet out of His goodness there was a waiting period.  Many lasted for years, YEARS WAITING for the Lord to reveal His will and His plan.  What faith and what perseverance.

Comparatively I see these light and fleeting trials are in fact nothing compared to the eternity with Christ.  So I guess to bring it to the "street view" I have had the opportunity to interview at some great schools none going past interviews, so I am waiting for the Lord to reveal his plan.  I delight in the promise that the Lord has His good for me in all of this, the muddy, mirky stuff and the joyful moments.

So friends I leave you with this picture (which sidenote is a goal of this blog to post pics of life and the joys along the journey).  It's of my dear friend Ash, who is expecting her first baby due three days before the day I arrived on Earth.  It is a joy to know Ash and it is a joy to wait for precious Ethan Barret.  Although the waiting may be the hardest part, it is worth the wait.