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.