I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17
What in the world is a “Poud?” In my Grits storying I often talk about my wife Judy. A while back I mentioned her nickname and someone asked, “What is the story there?” Well, I am glad you asked. Admittedly, it is a rather unusual nickname. It goes something like this. A long, long time ago, before I was around and when Judy was young, one of her brothers stated calling her “Judy Poudy.” Since she was the last of nine siblings, maybe they ran out of creativity? Anyway, I am assuming it was because it rhymed. Sometime later, the family shortened the name and started calling her “Poud.”
As the years rolled by, she was “Poud” this and “Poud” that. Well, finally, in the fulness of time (you know, like the Bible), I showed up on the stage of her life. After we met at church it was soon time to meet parents and finally her extended family. There probably aren’t enough letters in the alphabet or adjectives in the English language to describe this crazy bunch of South Georgians. Let it be enough to say that they believed in having fun and telling tall tales. Oh, the things one learns from sitting around their table at family gatherings and just watching and listening! Get them in a room together and the tales would start and wrapped up in those tales would be the occasional “Poud” this and “Poud” that.
Well, that could be the end of the story, but it isn’t. You see, this crazy bunch of South Georgians knew how to make a guy feel right at home and before long I was the object of several stories, some true and some not…. and some of those stories caused me to end up with my own nickname, “Pouder.” Now I’ll leave it to your imagination how that came about, but the new couple in the Allen clan had a new name—“Poud” and “Pouder.” Finally, after years of marriage, we decided to make it easier by simply calling each other “Poud.” It goes something like this, “Hey Poud?” And the other would simply reply with “Yes, Poud.” It doesn’t matter much now, but when we get old, it should at least be convenient.
It’s funny (no pun intended) how “Judy” became a “Judy Poudy” and together we became “Poud” and “Pouder.” New relationships sometimes generate a new name and that is just what God does for us. When we join His family, whatever we once were slips away and we become something new—one of His children…His son or daughter.
In the Bible, there was a woman who had an unclean issue of blood. Basically, that meant she wasn’t welcome anywhere…especially at church and because of her sickness she only knew the scorn and harshness of those around her. But one day she met Jesus and He healed her and gave her a new name—daughter. And when we meet Jesus…well, whatever the world and those around us used to called us, no matter how condemning, that all changes and He calls us His. I love that.
There is a scripture in the last Book in the Bible, the Revelation, and it says that one day God will give us a new name. It says there, “I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.” I don’t know what all that means but I do know it will be special. To be called His son is amazing enough but to know that He has a special name for me, for us…well, that is incredible.
I hope you have made the decision to be called His child. It’s not just church, it’s certainly not religion—it is a relationship with Creator God. And that unknown and special name…well, we will just have to wait and see what that is all about. One thing is certain—it will be special, and He’s got it reserved just for me and just for you. Until then we will just have to wait and trust that…He’s got this. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 