That’s Not Your Name

About 4 weeks ago, my son had a wonderful opportunity to play a tournament game at Joe Louis Arena. He was so excited to be skating on NHL ice. He was playing well until the last few minutes of the game. With only 1:30 left to play, his team was losing. My son got frustrated that he could not do more to help his team earn this victory.

He got angry.

He made a bad choice.

He made a BIG mistake that hurt his team.

He immediately saw the results of his actions. The consequences were glaring.

As reality set in, remorse, regret and condemnation quickly followed.

It was supposed to be a wonderful memory, and he left in tears.

He brought home a souvenir plaque from that day. It has a team picture and Redwings logos strategically placed to commemorate the day. He brought it to me and asked me to get rid of it. He didn’t want to be reminded of his “failure”. My heart was broken for him, but he would not talk with me about the game. There was nothing I could say to soothe his wounds.

This week, I was in the car listening to my favorite song, Greater by MercyMe. This song has become my anthem {and my ringtone}. The words of this song have truly been healing to me. So many times they have brought me back from the dark places the enemy would love for me to live. As I listened {and sang at the top of my voice} to the words, God gave me a picture of that hockey plaque covered in post-it notes. The words of the song and God’s redeeming grace were written all over. The only thing showing was my sweet boy’s face.

I sat down this morning and wrote out those words.

I covered the shame, the mistakes, the bad memory and wrote God’s Words of love and inspiration and promise.

As I sat looking at the beauty I had created. God showed me that this is what my life looks like too.

He has covered all the bumps and bruises. All of the mistakes and bad choices have been covered by His grace on top of grace. When he looks at me He doesn’t see the failure or the times I made my own way. He sees me through his redeeming grace. I am washed clean because of Him.

“Greater” by MercyMe

Bring your tired
Bring your shame
Bring your guilt
Bring your pain
Don’t you know that’s not your name
You will always be much more to me

Everyday I wrestle with the voices
That keep telling me I’m not right
But that’s alright

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

Bring your doubts
Bring your fears
Bring your hurt
Bring your tears
There’ll be no condemnation here
You are holy, righteous and redeemed

Every time I fall
There’ll be those who will call me
A mistake
Well that’s ok

Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
When others say I’ll never be enough
And greater is the One living inside of me
Than he who is living in the world

He’s Greater

There’ll be days I lose the battle
Grace says that it doesn’t matter
Cause the cross already won the war

He’s Greater

I am learning to run freely
Understanding just how he sees me
And it makes me love him more and more

He’s Greater

I’m going to make mistakes, we all are. We do not have to walk around with our heads hanging low. We need to look up to the One who says, “Don’t you know that’s not your name? There is no condemnation here. You are holy, righteous and redeemed.”

Those who look to him are radiant:
their faces are never covered with shame.
– Psalm 34:5

Hugs and Abundant Blessings,

Lynnette