I've told quite a number of people how I was able to choose Annie's momma's name. Since Annie was part of "me" as a kid, I was really struggling with a mom name. Even though I have used the middle names of my kids and grandkids, instead of their first names, I could have used my mom's middle name. But, as an abuser to Annie in the book, I didn't
want to offend friends or family by using her that bluntly.
The Lord dropped the name in. I would never have thought of it in this manner. Rarely thought of the name, anyhow. But HE did.
Her name is Mara. It means "bitter".
Recently, the Lord has had me begin reading the Books of the Old Testament, from beginning to end, which I haven't done for about three years. He had had me read the prophetic Books, over and over again for years, so I don't know if He'll have me reading them again when I finish everything else. I'll read whatever He tells me to read. He hasn't had me reading any of the New Testament Books now, and I usually am buried in Revelation. A few weeks ago, I began with Genesis. After finishing Book of Judges yesterday, I read Ruth today. And when I read Naomi's fierce and frustration in her life and heart and that she called herself Mara, I couldn't not share this with the world.
One of the good things is that Naomi, even keeping that side-name for a while, became filled with joy at the end of the Ruth Book. AND at the end of "The Annie Project", Annie's mom, Mara, was also filled with joy.
I've been thrilled with how the Lord broke the name in and the wonderful consequences in reality for Ruth's mother-in-law and reality for Annie's mom.
Made me smile and rejoice today as I read the Book of Ruth.
