What's in a Name

Naming a child seemed like such a daunting task. I mean, they are going to have it for life...so hopefully it's a good one. Some people are really into what the meaning of the name is. That really wasn't me.  I pretty much just picked names I liked, and hoped that Sean would agree. It's funny because when I was pregnant with Jack, we had "Jack" picked out for our boy name, but could not agree on a girl name. This time it was the opposite. We both loved Claire and just agreed on it immediately, while boy names {at least any we agreed on} alluded us. Thankfully- it worked out for us both times {forget the draino test and the Chinese calendar} haha!


Well today I started thinking about what "Claire" means. So for those of you who don't study baby name books/websites:


\C-lai-re\ pronounced "Clare" is of French origin meaning, "Clear, Bright" 

It was the middle of the night, I was awake and feeding my precious new baby, as I thought about those two words. Through blurry, tired, eyes I starred down at this perfect, tiny face and realized that her name is perfect. It really captures what I think she already is, and what I pray that she will grow to be. 

Claire {like her big brother} entered the world with the biggest, brightest eyes I have ever seen on a newborn baby. She was wide awake from the moment they pulled her from the safety of my womb, ready to see the world! She is already a shinning light in my life. I love holding her and watching her study my face. She is already a gift from God, and her new life is a precious reminder of our loving Heavenly Father who creates, lives, and BREATHES LIFE into his Creation. 

I started thinking about the word "clear" and some synonyms {with a little creative liberty}. 

Transparent, genuine, real, see-through, understandable, and simple. 

My prayer for both my children is simple. To love the Lord with all of their hearts, to seek Him and to serve Him, and to know the power of His Grace, the reality of his Love and to live abundantly in His presence. 

So what does that have to do with "Clear"? I think these are characteristics that these "synonyms" spring from a life in Christ. When we are transparent, genuine, and real the Spirit is free to move and work, in and through you. 

I pray that she will grow into the kind of person that when people look at her, they see Jesus; the BRIGHT, redeeming light of JESUS.