The Power of A Name

Have you ever given much thought to your name? When I had my children I chose names I liked with a mix of family history. As I began learning later in life about the meanings of names, I often thought about how my thought process in choosing them may have been different if I had understood this. Did you know that in biblical times they often waited until the child was a year old and their personality was revealed to choose the name? The Bible has many accounts of God changing peoples names when he either made them a promise or changed them into a new person. A couple of examples of this is when God changed Abrams name to Abraham, he literally named him "Father of many nations" so every time someone spoke his name they were declaring over him the very promise God had given him. Another one is Jacob, which meant deceiver. When he wrestled with the angel of God, He was given the new name Israel which meant he could struggle and rule with God! As I read this I realized just how much power was in a name!

I always liked my name, Tara, and that my mother gave me this name because of her love for the movie Gone With The Wind. You probably know Tara was the name of the home of Scarlett O'Hara in that movie. When my sister began studying the meaning of names, she found it very funny to remind me often that my name meant "dirt" while hers, Stephanie, meant "crowned with grace". Although this may seem petty, nobody likes to be called dirt! I did my own research and found out my name may mean dirt but comes from the Irish place "Where the Kings met". Now when my sister says this, I proudly say it may be dirt but it is Royal Dirt! (oh, and don't think bad of my sister, it was all in fun. She is my biggest fan!)

My middle name, Sue, came from my mothers sister, a very dear Aunt to me. She is the most godly woman I know and has lived her life with many titles but what I think of most is her heart for prayer. I cannot tell you how much I admire her. Although "Sue" is not a name I would choose in the natural, I am so honored to be her name sake! I do not even come close to the woman she is but I think often of her desire to make sure the future generations pray for the family. I hope to do all that she has desired me and the rest of our family to do.

I know, you're still wondering why Tiramisu' for my blog name though. Well let me tell you, I had never eaten Tiramisu' in my life until I started dating my husband. He instantly found it funny that my name, Tara Sue, sounded like Tiramisu', so I obviously had to try this dessert. You guessed it! I was instantly hooked. I am not a big sweet eater. Honestly I normally skip dessert but if Tiramisu' is on the menu I have to get it! It is a sweet dessert but has that kick of coffee that just makes it perfect to me. I have to tell you when I was thinking for a name for this blog Tiramisu' just kept popping up in my mind. I dismissed it at first but you know when something just keeps coming up you need to pay attention. I decided to search that meaning and it fit so perfectly with my desire to lift up, encourage, and cheer you on! So there you have it! This blogs purpose is to be Tiramisu' for your soul. I hope this explains to you why I chose this name but more importantly I want to end with this thought, although I choose names according to meaning now, i also believe that when i named my children without this knowledge that the grace of God was guiding me when i wasn't even aware. He knew each of us before we were formed in our mothers womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) and He knew exactly what they should be named. You know what the best news of all is though? He doesn't call anyone dirt. He has breathed the breath of Life in us and when we choose to surrender our life to him, we become a royal priesthood. So next time someone says you're dirt, proudly declare that you are Royal Dirt! He calls us chosen. He calls us saved, healed, delivered, and made whole.

How about you? Do you like your name and do you know the meaning? Let me know in the comments, I love learning peoples names and meanings. Thanks for being here for my first post and I hope you will join me again as I want to share some Tiramisu' with you!

Love and blessings,

Tara Sue