Some individuals feel offended when their name is pronounced incorrectly, so I make an effort to pronounce the names of people I meet correctly. It’s a common courtesy that goes a long way. Some folks have trouble with my last name, and that’s fine. In fact, I expect people to mispronounce it. But I believe my first name, Julia, is pretty straightforward. I often go by Julie, and that’s easy, too – usually. When people mispronounce, or more often, misspell Julie, it amuses me. I’ve seen July, Juley, Julee, Jullie, and most recently, Jukie. Um, Jukie?! Ha ha!
I’m so thankful that God knows my name. He knows how it’s pronounced; He knows how it’s spelled. But more importantly, He calls me His child. I matter to Him, and He delights in me. He knew me long before I was born and has a good plan for my life. He knows every detail about me, including my proudest moments and the shortcomings I’d rather keep hidden, yet still calls me His. I am truly blessed to be loved that much. My name is written in His Book of Life, and His name is written on my forehead. Out of all the names to which I answer, “Child of God” is my favorite.
Julia K. Hallum 