When I was growing up, I never knew my maiden name would turn into the blessing it is. For it is strange. Not as in odd, weird, or quirky. But Strange.
Kimberly A. Strange
It was such a crazy burden when I was younger. So much so, I used to envision the days when it would no longer be mine. The cringing dread I experienced as the inevitable snickers of laughter made their way through the classroom when the teacher on the first day of school called out my name, would be blissfully gone. The chagrin I felt in college, when being the last one to sign the roster for the dorm lottery, as the question was asked, “Is the last person in line strange?” would become, more and more, a distant memory. And even though it gave me a wry smile, the embarrassment of, “Strange party of four, your table is ready,” is something I would never have to endure again.
On the day when I was finally to be free from my moniker—the day I married my late husband—to my surprise I couldn’t let it go. As hard as it was to bear, my maiden name is me. It is who I am.
Little did I know that minuscule trial of a name would later become a blessing.
Doing research—I had to know why in the world this name was attached to my ancestors—I found it was not because they were necessarily the odd balls out, or that they were the ugly ducklings that didn’t fit in, but the name became theirs because of who they were. They were travelers. Foreigners in a new land. Strangers.
Each of us has a story. Some, on the front page of our lives trumpet our day-to-day. Others remain hidden, shielded by pride, the past too painful to tell, or just our efforts to survive or succeed. All, shape who we are and all can be a blessing to ourselves and to others.
Those trials we feel we can’t abide one minute longer or the triumphs we applaud, each can give encouragement and courage to another who is looking in, and on from the sidelines. We are here for one another. For us who have come to know Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, our greatest Champion, “Cheerleader,” Friend, and Counselor is our Father God.
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 1-4,
“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (MSG)
God also tells us in the book of Romans 8:28, “that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (NLT)
The prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 61 is beautiful beyond description for it tells of God’s far-reaching redemption. No matter how heavy the backpack of burdens we carry on our shoulders, how deep or minute our wounding, He is with us to use it all for our ultimate good.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, (Jesus)
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.
They shall build up the ancient ruins;
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
The trials of my maiden name I faced as a youngster are silly in comparison to what others are living through, worldwide. Even so, the Lord used that to bolster me for the days He knew would come into my life.
He used it to develop in me the ability to see humor in just about everything.
He used it as a constant reminder because of my ancestors, that this world is not my home. I am a stranger in a strange land.
He used the Scripture about His people being a peculiar sort—see 1 Peter 2:9—to tie my identity to Him. For anyone who knows me, knows yes, she truly is. Strange.
Kimberly
