April 02, 2021

Growing Into It by Marcia Lee Laycock


Photo by Marcia Lee Laycock
                                                        
They called him “Corner” because whenever anyone went near him he’d run into a corner and quiver. When I saw the grey husky-shepherd cross for the first time he was outside, running through the bush, low to the ground like a wolf on the prowl. My friend told me he was going to have to shoot him if someone didn’t come along and take him away. So I decided to try. It took me a week to get close enough to touch him and another few days before I could get a collar and leash on him.

Once at home I began a rehabilitation program – good food, lots of soft words and kind pets. And a name change. Corner became Klondike. He took to his name well and was eager to please me as I began to train him. My neighbour said he looked like a cartoon character, with ears that were too big for his face and paws that told us he was going to be a big dog. As time went on, Klondike grew into his ears and his paws and his name. He became my constant companion, ever obedient and extremely protective. Klondike became my guardian angel and I know he saved me on more than one occasion.

As I saved Corner, giving him a new name and a new life, Jesus did the same for me. Shortly after I yielded my will and my life to Him, I opened my new Bible and read this verse: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, NKJV).

That was a significant moment for me because for much of my life people had called me by a name that was not mine. My mother, whose heritage was British, named me Marcia, pronounced Mar-see-uh with the accent on the first syllable. At home I was Marci. But when I went to school my teachers began calling me Marsha. I was too shy to correct them and although I disliked it, went along with that name and that identity until I was out of high school. At university I insisted that everyone call me by the name my mother had given me.

To this day people often mispronounce my name, either using Marsha or putting the emphasis on the last syllable. But now it doesn’t bother me so much, because I know the One who created me knows my name. That’s all that matters.

It matters, too, that I live up to the name I’ve been given. I don’t want to be like Abigail’s husband, Nabal, whom she said lived up to his name, which meant stupid. (Read the story in 1 Samuel 25). I’d rather be like Simon whose name was changed to Peter (the rock) and who grew into that name as God strengthened and guided him into his new identity as a leader of His church. Or Abram, who became Abraham and Sarai who became Sarah. They grew into their names too, as they fulfilled the destiny God had planned for them.

So what’s in a name? Identity is wrapped up in it. As we grow into the identity we were meant to have, we grow into the name we have been given – Children of God.

“… that you become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world ...” (Philippians 2:15).

****

Visit my website to learn more about my writing and speaking ministry.

 

 

 

10 comments:

  1. When I had to introduce you, Marcia, for Fall Conference, I asked another Inscribe member if I was correct in its' pronunciation! :) Children of God...yes! That is our true name!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I loved the story of the puppy! I think I may have been putting emphasis on the 'c' in your name, to I am determined to do better from now on! Thank you for sharing this meaningful post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love your puppy story. A beautiful post, Marcia.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marcia is a beautiful name, especially with the proper pronunciation. Thanks for sharing the story of your dog, a most fitting illustration of how love and a new name can change a life, as God did when He called us His.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing your story behind your name ... I love how you took back your name ... I think you've grown it bigger!

    ReplyDelete
  6. How reassuring that God gave you confirmation on calling you by name--correctly too! Your puppy story is a great metaphor for God giving us a new name.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been putting the emphasis on the C part of your name too. Well, now I know better. :) Love the story of your puppy, and you got me curious about the times he saved your life.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Awesome, true life, happy ending story Marcia, as always.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I loved the verse the Lord gave you when you became a Christian. That is so meaningful! and the story about Klondike is just beautiful, and how it parallels what Jesus does for us! Loved this!
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love conquers all. Thanks, Marcia. Love this post.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to join in the conversation. Our writers appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you have found helpful or meaningful in some way.