What's In A Name?

My name is Christina Joy. Please don't call me Chris, Christine or Kristina. I like Christina. (The only exception allowed is 'Aunt Chrissy' from my nieces and nephews, and 'Chrissy' from my sisters and cousins) My mother chose my name. In 1975 while she was pregnant with me, she asked Jesus Christ to forgive her sins and heal her hurts. He was faithful to her and so she named me Christina after Christ and Joy for the joy He gave her. 

Our names are important to us. Parents spend many months making lists and researching the meaning of names. The decision of  what to name your child is usually not taken lightly. (When I was a teenager I wanted 4 children. Two boys and two girls. I was going to name them, Crystal and Christian and Jewel and Joel, haha.)  When you get called the wrong name or if someone should forget your name, it kinda stings. Our names are our identity, our character often is expressed in our names. We all make a name for ourselves. As we build our lives and choices we make, they all affect our name.

Christina Joy

"In Scripture, the names of God are like miniature portraits and promises. In Scripture, a person’s name identified them and stood for something specific. Naming carried special significance."  When I was younger my mother nick-named me 'Little Joy'. My father called me 'Mouth O' Mighty' and 'Mouth of the South'. My husband calls me 'Boss' and 'Jackson'. My boys call me 'Momsters' and 'Pretty Mommy' and 'Mother Dear Love of my Life' (I taught them that one;). I want my name to mean something, to tell the good things about me. I pray I live to be worthy of the name my mother chose for me. Worthy to be called a Christian through my name, Christina. And worthy of being called Joy by bringing Joy into others lives.