It’s all in the Name

It was an interesting coincidence, before we even met; my husband and I had picked the same name for a daughter should we ever have one.  We had both chosen the diminutive of Nicole.  Not the usual spelling of that name, but the one with two ‘K’s.  While pregnant with her, we decided that Nikki was too short a name so I added  ‘TA’ to the end of it.  Her name would be Nikkita. It would be the Spanish diminutive of Nikki, meaning, “little Nikki‘.

We always called her Nikki, but when she learned her full name she took to it and would introduce herself as ‘Nikki-Ta’ as if ‘Ta’ was her middle name.  Of course through time she figured out the truth about her name, but she kept a strong sense of propriety about how her name was said, spelled and used. Remembering her innocent childish mistake her older brothers would sometimes call her Nikki-Ta, and even at the age of four she would haughtily say, “My name is Nikki or Nikkita don’t call me Nikki-Ta.”

To this very day, she does not allow just anyone to use diminutives of her name .  There seems to be a caste system.  Friends and acquaintances may call her Nikkita or Nikki.  Family and very close friends may call her Nik.  There are a few other names immediate family may call her like “Miss Adventure” (a double meaning explaining her love of exploration and the resulting consequences) or “Angel” (which I call her) and “Sis” (which Daniel calls her).

Still, there is a name that may be spoken by only one person. I have always loved the close relationship the kids have had with my husband and Nikki is no different. I may be her best friend, but she is essentially a Daddy’s girl; therefore Pat is the only one who may call her “Ta”. Because he holds a special place in her heart, the "name rules" do not apply to him.

As sweet as it is that Nikki gives Pat the use of  her special name, it is small compared to what God expresses in the use of His name.  In Exodus 3 He has a conversation with Moses that shows how special we are to Him.
“And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, “The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? What shall I say unto them?”
And God said unto Moses, “I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”

God gives Moses His name “I AM THAT I AM” then He tells Moses to let the people know the diminutive of His name, “I AM”.  The "name rules" do not apply to us! God wants us to understand how special we are to Him. Just like Nikki only allows her Daddy to call her by that special diminutive, God allows us to call Him by His special diminutive  This expresses the deepness of His affection for us.  It proves we have a place in His heart that no one else has.

In the New Testament  Paul says, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” Romans 8:14, 15.  I have heard that the word Abba is equal to the word Daddy. Not only does God give us His diminutive, but He wants us to call Him Daddy.

In our home it is right that Pat should have access to the name “Ta”, he is Nikki’s Daddy; he takes care of her, and does all the things good Daddies do.  And in their story I see how God esteems me. He allows me to use the diminutive of His name, because I hold a place in His heart that is shared by no one.  It is also right that He should be my Daddy.  He is the one who guides me, comforts me, provides for me, protects me and redeemed me.