Scripture is filled with examples of God renaming people at critical junctures to express a defining characteristic for their lives and/or future. So, when Bunny told us she had come up with a new name for when she comes home, David and I are ready to roll with it.
She has chosen Grace Rose Ely.
Grace is because of God's favor to her throughout this whole experience and her recognition that our love and acceptance from God is by grace and grace alone.
Rose is because it has always been her favorite name for a girl. The very first story she wrote (when she was still just learning how to write) the main character was a girl named Rose. She also said that she loved roses because although they were very beautiful, they came with their own self-defense mechanism.
There is the added benefit that a name change will make it harder for unsavory people in her past to track her down. In fact, when she comes home, David and I will probably never use social media again, to try to protect her from people in her past that would primarily use such outlets to find her.
Names are a funny thing. I chose Berneice Abigail because of two very influential women in my life. My grandmother, Berneice and my "younger sister" Abigail Heath. Both of these women had characteristics that I hoped to honor by naming my daughter after them - character traits I would love to see grow in myself and all of my children. Strength. Courage. Wisdom. Integrity. Compassion. Generosity. Service.
Calling her Bunny, well that just happened naturally. And it stuck. Because she WAS Bunny - the name just fit.
Allowing her a new name also allows her to redefine who she wants to be, rather than being burdened by who she was. While I had great expectations for Bunny's future - my heart is full of hopes and dreams for Grace's future - even more than I could have imagined.
U2 wrote a beautiful song "Grace", which was rerecorded by my favorite christian vocalist, Nichole Nordeman. The end is:
She carries a pearl in perfect condition
What once was hurt, what once was friction
What left a mark, no longer stains
Because grace makes beauty out of ugly things
Grace finds beauty, in everything
Grace finds goodness in everything
There is beauty to be found in her future.
My father signed every letter or email to me "by Amazing Grace" - as we all lay claim to the same unmerited favor that makes us right in God's eyes. This crushing year continues to be a testimony of God's grace to us.
Grace and peace be with you all through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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