Nobody Said Her Name

Read Isaiah 49:1 and Romans 8:14-16

The Lord says, "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine."

-Isaiah 43:1 (NRSV)

THE flowers were beautiful, and the music was lovely. The minister gave a thought-provoking sermon. But at this funeral no one said my aunt's name. It was Frances Louise Beeler. As we drove to the gravesite, my cousin decided that he would say a few words after the minister read from the Bible and prayed. My cousin knew that saying his grandmother's name was important. He told some funny stories about things she had done and said. He talked about her life and her family and how she had touched the lives of her loved ones.

At times in my life, I have felt small and insignificant. At those times, I have needed to recall what the Bible says about a person's name. I am reassured that God knows my name and calls me by name. I belong to God. A special relationship exists between this Father and each child. Not only does God know my name; God knows every detail of my life, including the number of hairs on my head (Matt. 10:30) and the number of days I will live on earth (Ps. 139:16).

Do you sometimes feel insignificant, as if no one knows your name? God knows.

Ruth Beeler Crow (Texas, U.S.A.)

Dear God, remind us that you know us by name and that you call us by name. Amen.

God knows every detail about each of us.

Those who feel insignificant

Neglected Voices The Bible features many voices of faith, including those whose lives are well chronicled and those who are mere footnotes in biblical history. In NEGLECTED VOICES, author John Indermark explores the lives of lesser known biblical figures who have much to teach us today about the importance of faithfulness in all places and times. By seeing how God's grace is present in the lives of biblical "unknowns," we become open to the possibilities in our own lives and the lives of those around us. Biblical characters like Rahab, Shiphrah and Puah, and Simon Magus show us the sometimes unexpected ways God works in the world. A LEADER'S GUIDE for group study is also available.