What's in MY name?

I've always liked my name, but tonight as I was doing my quiet time I realized how truly awesome my name is and also how completely humbled I should be my name.

Cynthia - It means moon.

I am currently reading Max Lucado's book It's Not About Me with the Fusion College Ministry girls. (So far, it's good. Anyone, not just girls, should take a gander.) He starts proving that it is not about me by analyzing the purpose of the moon and how it "models our role" of how we should be as Christians, followers and reflectors of Christ. Here is an excerpt:

What does the moon do? She generates no light. Contrary to the the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily romance The moon reflects greater light.

And she's happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. She makes no waves about making waves. Let the cow jump over her or astronauts step on her; she never objects. Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the butt of bad jokes, you won't hear ol' Cheeseface grumble. The moon is at peace in her place. And because she is, soft light touches the dark earth.

What a name sake! What an amazing thing to live up to! And, man do I have a lot of work!

Anchalee - It means to wai (pronounced "why"). Wai means to bow. It is the term used for the slight bow or curtsey one does in Thailand upon greeting someone.

When you greet someone in Thailand, the proper thing to do is to bow and say the appropriate greeting. It is respectful and expected. Aren't we expected to do the same thing to our Lord? Shouldn't we be bowing out of respect for our high God? Shouldn't that be the appropriate and only way to greet our Lord? Except our should be much more than slight. Our greeting should be on our knees or flat on our faces.

What a name sake! What an amazing thing to live up to! And, man do I have a lot of work!

Lawrence - "It is of Latin origin, and the meaning of Lawrence is "from Laurentum". Laurentum was a city south of Rome known for its laurel trees." "According to Greek and Roman mythology, the laurel was said to repeal lightning, which many have been why wreaths of laurel have adorned the heads of people in ancient depictions. The laurel wreath also symbolizes a poet and one who excels in the sciences and arts. The laurel was sacred to the god Apollo and came to stand for victories and spiritual cleansing."

Laurel leave wreathes adorned peoples head, a place of honor. They were also utilitarian in nature because they were placed there to ward off lightning. And, as you can read above, they symbolize so much status.

What a name sake! What an amazing thing to live up to! And, man do I have a lot of work!

What a name sake! What an amazing thing to live up to! And, man do I have a lot of work!

Sources:

Lucado, Max. It's Not About Me. Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson page 6

Meaning of Lawrence: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/meaning/1/Lawrence

Laurel Tree info: http://meaningofgifts.com/?p=829

Valentine's Day...My thoughts on the day...

I have never had a beau on a Valentine's Day and unless something changes in the next two days that trend won't change. This is not going to be one of those whiny blog entries. One of those "Woe is me! I hate my life. Why doesn't anyone love me?" blogs. Don't get me wrong, I have felt that way before. There are days when I see me friends falling in love, getting married, and living the life I know the Lord has for me at some point, I feel awful about myself.

Instead, the point of this blog is not to dwell on the things that I feel my life is lacking but to focus on the BIG God that blesses my life everyday. This blog is for the glory of God and His glory only. Even the title is "For I am Not." For I am Not and He IS!!

Okay so what has HE blessed me with:

• Family that loves me more than words. They bail me out and stand by me when I need it. A wonderful mother and father who show me what a real marriage, a real relationship, real love looks like. A beautiful sister who is one of the best friends a girl could have who is about to marry the love of her life and give me a brother. A momaw and popaw that are such great role models for a Christian marriage that lasts through the years. And to all my other family, the love me from, some from great distances, and I am so not worthy of all their love.
• Friends that are my chosen family. Friends who God has given me to provide me with so much joy and love. I am forever in His debt for the relationships he has put in my life. My girls. So many sisters a girl just doesn't know what to do with them all. They are my precious loves and I can't go through a week without talking to them. I often rely on them to get me through everything. My boys. They are my big and little brothers and I know they have got my back in anything.

• My roommates! Two of the most precious souls on this earth. They are two of the most brilliant people I have ever met and two of the greatest educators. I am privileged to share a home, a life, and many other things with them.

• My Sunday School class! The most wonderful people in the world who I share so much with and with whom learn so much about our God and His plan.
• The College Ministry of HGBC. I love to serve those students and to serve along side my fellow followers of Christ. God has blessed me so much in that ministry.

So on this weekend before Valentine's Day I reflect on how many people God has given me to love. And though mystery man and I have not started our relationship yet, I have so many Valentines this year. I am too lucky and too blessed.