God Called Me By Name :: A bit of my story {FMF: Weary}

Have I written about weariness? Probably here and there. But I am honestly not sure if I have taken the opportunity to write about the part of weariness which is closest to my heart. It’s in my name.

This post is part of Five Minute Friday. Every Friday, writers from around the world take five minutes to write about a word that is provided by Kate Motaung one her blog Heading Home. Five minutes to write and post without worrying about perfection. Authenticity in words within a safe group of writers in an on-line community.

Have you wanted to write but didn’t know where to start? This might just be the place for you. Or, come back next Thursday for another idea to jump start your writing.

Today’s prompt: Weary.

image by Kate Motaung

When I was a kid I learned that names have meanings and I was enthralled. With fascination I flipped through my mom’s baby names book and looked up everyone I knew. My sisters. My parents. My friends. That cute boy in home room. And of course my name. It was with some confusion that I learned my name meant “Weary One.” I had never heard of the word “weary” and had to look it up in the dictionary: Tired. Fatigued.

I shrugged my shoulders and brushed it aside. Oh well. My name isn’t that exciting I guess.

Years later though, when I felt the weariness in my bones and carried it with me in my tired heart, I began to long for God to give me a new name. I was fascinated with Abram who became Abraham. Jacob who became Israel. Simon who became Peter. Why couldn’t God redeem me that way?

While driving up the mountains in Colorado with my mentor, I confided in her my experience. “Weary One feels less than. I feel small and insignificant and not enough.”

“Oh that’s not what I think at all,” she said warmly.

I looked at her quizzically. “What do you mean?”

“I hear Weary One and I hear Jesus calling you to himself. Jesus is calling you, Leah, to be with him.”

Stunned, I finished the trip in silence. My world, my existence, my meaning, forever changed.

What do you think of when you hear the word “weary”? Please share in a comment below or link up with us here. Use #fmfparty on social media to share with us.