Beloved.
The Lord brought me all the way to South Africa to reveal the meaning behind my name and tenderly remind me that I am pure, I am His and I am beloved.
I’ve never really thought much about what my name means or even if there’s any purpose behind it. I’ve always been Amy, but that’s it. Amy Kathleen Cook: the sister, daughter, student, and business professional turned missionary. That’s me. But I’m starting to realize and embrace that I am so much more than that.
My parents have always told me the story of how my name came to be and I’ve enjoyed hearing it my entire life. Throughout my mom’s pregnancy, I was always going to be Anna. Anna Cook. On the way to the hospital though, things changed. While in route to deliver little Anna, my parents heard the song “Aime” by Pure Prarie League. As soon as he heard it, my dad knew my name had to change, it had to be Amy. Right there in the car my name went from Anna to Amy and although this change was inspired by a bluegrass band and catchy song, my dad was speaking a word of truth and purpose over my life before I even entered this world.
A little less than two years ago, on my first World Race, the meaning of my name was spoken over me. Amy actually means beloved.
Beloved
adjective: greatly loved; dear to the heart.
noun: a person who is greatly loved.
Wow, beloved. That’s who I am. And Kathleen, my middle name, means pure. I am dearly loved and I am pure.
Learning the meaning behind my name bursted my heart open two years ago and I have since been on a road of discovery to truly understand the purpose behind it.
This week, I’ve been working at a church in Port Elizabeth, South Africa called Father’s House. We’re helping the church prepare for a massive women’s conference this weekend by standing in the gap and assisting with any and every need that comes about during this last week of preparation. Father’s House Church is reminiscent of churches back in America and feels familiar and sweet. While we were sitting outside in the sun having our lunch break a few days ago, a local named Yolanda came up and introduced herself to us. As soon as I told her what my name was, she immediately asked me about the meaning behind it. Surprised by the question, I quickly answered her, thankful I did actually know what my name meant but quite unsure why she had asked me this. Yolanda explained to us that in Africa, the meaning behind names are a big deal. Parents name their children specifically to speak truth and life over them every time they are addressed. In essence, your name is a prophetic word spoken over you each time someone calls upon you.
Dang, that’s a big deal. Yolanda is telling me that every time someone says the name Amy they are speaking the word beloved over me. They are reminding me who I am… one that was created to be dearly loved by the Father.
Do you think The Lord prompted my dad to change my name to Amy twenty-nine years ago so that beloved would be spoken over me my entire life?
Knowing the heart of Christ… that definitely seems like something He would do.
I feel loved, seen and known by The Lord and now every time someone calls out to me, I am reminded who I am. I am not Amy the sister, daughter, student, and business professional turned missionary. I am Amy, purely and truly beloved.
South Africa has been sweet and safe. It feels Western here. I’m not living in a hut or taking bucket showers, I’m living in a quaint little cabin with thirteen other girls and one guy, sleeping in bunk beds and eating lots peanut butter sandwiches. I feel blessed for a gentle month of working and sharing with an incredible group of young women before we head into Zambia, where the living might not be as easy. Week one of my second World Race has been laced with self-discovery and the start of deep connections with the Racers on my Squad. I’m already getting the feeling I’m going to be in for more than I ever anticipated on this journey, and I’m so excited and expectant for what The Lord has for me.
Stay tuned for more updates from my South African journey!
Sending all my love <3
A picture with my new friend Yolanda!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, accordingly to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the beloved.
Ephesians 1:3-6
