The Writing's on The Wall

My husband, Mike, is quite the handyman.  I did not know this when I married him; it's just one more thing he does and does very well.  We bought our house in 1993 and it was a DUMP!!  We have completely remodeled it.  Everything we changed, with the exception of finishing the dry wall and laying carpet,  Mike did himself.  Our house is really nice (if I do say so myself) and everywhere I look, there is evidence of what a great handyman/carpenter/all-around-do-it-yourself guy I married.  But, as much as I love finishing a project, the project itself is not my favorite part.  My favorite part is what happens after the project is completed.  Mike takes his paint brush and writes me love notes--on the wall leading to the basement and on the garage wall.  He doesn't have to--I know he loves me.  But he does and it's so sweet.  It's a great reminder when I'm going downstairs to do laundry or jumping in the van to run an errand--my husband loves me.  He took extra time to make sure I know.

God is quite the handyman as well.  He gives us air to breathe, food to eat and clothes to wear. 
That would be quite enough.    But not for God.  He goes the extra mile and writes his love everywhere we can see it. "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."
Everything is so beautiful and new this time of year; I have really appreciated the beautiful colors this spring more than any other.  God could have made everything gray; we wouldn't have known the difference.  But He made all the colors of the world so vibrant and pleasing.  He did it because He loves us.  In case we forget, all we have to do is look around.  What a great reminder when we are heading to work, to run errands or to just sit and relax--God loves us.  He has written a reminder of His love everywhere!  But my favorite thing that God has ever written was not a reminder for us, but a reminder to Himself---"I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands!"

God's Name in Cursive

When Kayla and Jenna were little, we had a little sign on the refrigerator of the Ten Commandments.  We discussed them occasionally, and they learned them in Sunday school.  The 3rd commandment is "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."  I told the girls that meant not to say "oh my God" in anger or excitement , because that was not the proper use for His Name.  Kayla came home from school one day (she was probably kindergarten or first grade), and said "Mom I'm not going to be friends with so-and-so anymore."  I said "Why not?" And she said, "Because she said God's name in cursive!"  We still tease her about that to this day; it was the cutest thing!

I have since thought about this phrase quite a bit--taking "God's Name in vain".  And while I still believe that we should NOT say "oh my God" in anger, I also believe there is a much deeper meaning.  I am in NO WAY a theologian, so I'm sure there's some out there that could correct me; who would be able to say 'Well, actually, in the original text, this word meant this, not this.'  I completely understand that I could be off-base, but at the same time, God has used this verse to change my way of thinking in many areas, so how could that be a bad thing?!?!? :) 


When Mike and I got married, several things changed in my life.  I moved to a new home, (trailer-but it was our little love nest); I had a new family; I had a new ring to put beside my engagement ring; and most noticeably, I had a new name.  I was no longer Alicia Wilks, I was now known as Alicia Millikin.  I have to admit, I didn't think about it much at the time, other than to change it on some documents.  And of course, I practiced writing it millions of times, while dreaming of marrying my own prince charming!! But what an amazing, humbling gift to receive from someone--the honor of carrying their name.  Mike trusted me that day, and everyday since, to carry his name like I mean it.   If I had taken his name with absolutely no intention of living like a married woman, with no intention of giving up my single life, then I had wasted my time and his.  I would have taken his name in vain. 



When I was 16, I accepted an offer from God.  To believe in his Son, to enter into a relationship with Him. To be adopted by Him and receive His Name.  I now went by the title "Christian", like Christ.  God shared His Name with me.  If I had taken His Name that day, but had no intention of turning from my former life, had continued living in a life to please myself and not Him, then it would have been in vain.  God is very protective of His Name; the Bible lists several passages where God does great works to uphold His Name. For His Name's sake.   That He would share His Name with us is an unspeakable honor.
 

I hope over the last (almost) 22 years, I haven't given Mike or the Millikin family reason to regret that I share their name.  I pray that, although I have followed my own paths and will many times over the last 24 years, that I have not brought dishonor to God's Name; that I have not taken his name in vain. "He guides me in paths of righteousness for HIS Name's sake".  Psalm 23:3