Casting Lots...

From week 17 until the morning of Sweet Pea's birth, our family was at a stale mate on what her name was going to be. Zman had suggested from day one that her name be C----. I wanted A-----. Lots of names got thrown both in and out of the ring over those remaining weeks but we always came back to C---- and A-----.


It was decided that her name would be A-----. Vince announced it to the kids about a week before birth day. Zman was in denial.


The night before the big day, Zman looked me square in the eye and said


"Mom, we gotta talk."


"About what?"


"The name."


When I got to his room to tuck him in, he simply but firmly stated


"If you name her A-----, I will still call her C----."


"Zman, you can't do that. She won't have any friends."


"Why?"


"Because when she meets a new friend, they will ask her what her name is and she won't be able to tell them because she will be confused. The other kids will think she is weird because she doesn't know her name and they won't be her friend."


He ponder this scenario for a moment then shook his head.


"If you name her A-----, I will still call her C----."


"Well, Zman, A----- kinda sounds like Z------."


He pondered this for a moment... then shook his head.


"If you name her A-----, I will still call her C----."


I have never, ever, ever seen my easy-going, laid back son so adamant about anything... ever... so I decided we should cast lots.

I explained the process to Zman and reminded him that doing this would leave the outcome to the Lord and we would know His will in naming our baby.

Again, he pondered...

"If it comes up A-----, I will still call her C----."

With that, I told him he needed to pray about his heart explaining that would be rebellion against the Lord, and left him for the night.




A few months back, a daily devotional I get through Crosswalk.com addressed the role of casting lots in the New Testament as well as the Old Testament. The Old Testament has many examples of using this method to determine a course of action or settle a dispute. In the New Testament, they even cast lots to determine the disciple who would take Judas' place!

Proverbs 16:33
"The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord."



So, before leaving for the hospital, the four of us headed to the kitchen to cast lots. Vince wrote on four pieces of paper, C----, and on four other pieces of paper, A-----. We prayed for the Lord to reveal what He wanted this baby's name to be. And then we drew names out of a hat.

Results???

Three to one, C----.

Who picked the one name for A-----???

Zman!!!

As my bird whispering friend said when she heard the story...

God has such a sense of humor!!!