Proverbs 22:1– “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.”
As a child, I remember wishing my name were Debbie, Linda, or Karen.
Now that I’m nearing the publication of my first book, I find myself wishing for a name that would be more memorable. One that would sound “author-ish”.
I’ve thought of changes I could make to my name to make it more visually appealing….for example, not capitalizing it, like the famous poet, e.e.cummings.
brenda poulos
Or, dropping my last name and using my middle name as the last:
Brenda Carol
No? How about changing the spelling of my middle name?
Brenda Carolle
Perhaps using just my initials:
B. C. Poulos
I asked God to help me be content with my name just the way it is:
Brenda C. Poulos
He reminded me today that the name, Jesus—the sweetest, most wonderful name to Christians—was a very ordinary name in those days. Nothing particularly special about it…but it was the name God told Joseph and Mary to give the baby.
Matthew 1:21 says, “You shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” And it is the name praised by millions every day.
Of course, there are many other names that Jesus has in the Bible—names that reflect who He is, His role, His personality: Savior, Messiah, Adonai, The Good Shepherd, The Bright and Morning Star, The Rose of Sharon, The Lord, The Lamb of God, Light of the World, and on and on. Two hundred of them in all.
I told myself that maybe I would be more content with my own name if I knew what it meant. Somewhere, I had a bookmark with its meaning. I searched in a couple of drawers before I came up with it:
“BRENDA: Enthusiastic…fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Maybe it doesn’t sound like a name that will draw people to pick up a book, but maybe it is a good name, after all.
Maybe those reading the gospel message woven into the pages of Runaways: The Long Journey Home will be led to it by Jesus…our God with an ordinary name who would allow someone with a name like mine to be an instrument to point the way
HOME.
spiritualsnippets.com 
Great post. I didn’t know the Jesus was a common name in Biblical times.
Thanks!
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Brenda (a good name!)…….wise and awesome words in this snippet. I’ve often thought the same things. Thanks for the reminder that we all have good names – and to be content with them!
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I thoroughly enjoy what you share. I’ve gone through the name thing too. But I’m happy with it and figure I have it for a reason.
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