He Calls Me By Name

Every year as we enter into Advent season and prepare our hearts for Christmas, I say a little prayer. Nothing long, nothing fancy, just a simple prayer.

Several weeks ago, as the movie credits were rolling, I took my cell phone out of my purse to check for messages when I discovered this text from my mom.

Names are starting to come back to your Dad and he’s been saying your name all day.

Tears immediately welled up in my eyes and by the time I finished reading that last sentence…he’s been saying your name all day, I was sobbing…right there in the movie theater.

Of course, I went to visit Dad a few days later and he spent most of our visit trying to summon my name to his lips..although I didn’t realize that’s what he was doing until I heard, “Sharon” and he looked at me with a faint smile on his lips and a twinkle of pride in his eyes.

There was just something about hearing my Dad say my name. Something about his voice that gave me such a sense of peace.

Until that day, I didn’t know if I’d ever hear him call me by name again. And it so happened that the few days prior, I was feeling so sad and lost without my Dad…without the man before the stroke. And really missed our relationship… hearing his voice, being on the receiving end of his counsel and encouragement…

Weeks later when I went to visit, Mom handed me a piece of paper.

Earlier that day Dad had scribbled my name, my full name, out onto that piece of paper.

Again, there was something about knowing he was thinking about me, that I was on his mind, that was so comforting.

And that is my prayer this Advent season; to know that same peace and comfort over that fact that God calls me by name and all that implies.