By: Tiffany Langford
“What do you think of the name Serenity?” My husband asked me as we were driving down the road.
“Serenity?” I paused, for the first time a name suggestion for our little one resonated with me, then a moment later after thinking it through I told him for the first time to any suggestion, “I actually really like that name.”
We had heard many wonderful suggestions from well meaning friends, neighbors, and family members, but nothing resonated in my heart as a good fit for our baby girl until my husband mentioned Serenity.
I knew what the meaning of “serenity” was, still yet I rushed home to open up google to research all I could on the name. Then when I read, “peaceful disposition” I knew instantly that was the right name for my daughter.
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Not too many weeks later our daughter entered the world way ahead of schedule. At last minute we decided her middle name would be “Faith,” because we knew that was the very thing that would get us through what we were going through at the time.
I was devastated because no one could reassure me she was going to be okay. I felt like I had failed my daughter because my body could carry her no longer. My body turned against me and my baby. I had feel in love with the little baby in my bump, and couldn’t stand the thought of losing her.
At that time in my life I lacked peace more than I ever had before, ironically.
In Luke chapter eight, the disciples and Jesus were out on a lake when suddenly a squall came and swamped their boat. They were in grave danger and Jesus slept through it! The disciples cried aloud to Him saying, “Master, Master! We are going to drown!”
I was that disciple. I had seen the goodness of God throughout my entire life, yet I was drowning in my fear and unbelief.
Jesus got up, claimed the raging seas and winds, then turns to His disciples and asks them, “Where is your faith?” (Luke 8:22-25)
I know what the disciples were thinking, God has forsaken me, this is the end of my life, I have no hope.
Abba asked me the same question He asked His disciplesduring that time in my life, “Where is your faith?”
Praise be to God that we came out of that period of our life alive, healthy, and unharmed. God’s hand was on my family, and to this day my daughter’s name ironically is a testament to the peace that only God gives.
From that period in my life I developed panic attacks. If you have ever experienced one, you understand the hell your mind goes through. My daughter is now a year and a half, but I still struggle with fear in my heart.
Not too long ago I had one and I broke down and wept. My daughter sensed that her mommy was hurting, so she paused her playing, came over to me and removed my hands from my face and hugged me. She then proceeded to climb up beside me and cuddle me well.
I immediately began to feel better. It was then I thought, how ironic is it that I named my daughter Serenity as a prayer that her spirit would always know the peace of God, but God is using her to bring me peace?
She is my serenity, and can give me peace like no other human being can. I’m amazed at her loving heart, and I know God gave her to me specifically for a reason.
By calling my daughter Serenity, I unknowingly spoke forth peace in her life and even in my own. So today I want to encourage you to speak those things that are not as though they were.
Speak good things in your life, and trust that God will bring along everything you need. Don’t despair, you aren’t going to drown here. Yes you can cry out to God, but He tells you to speak in faith, tell the storms in your life to be still. Have faith. God has put an enormous superpower in your spirit called faith, and when we rely on our faith, that is where we find our peace.
Just like God gives me peace through my daughter, God is going to place people in your life that will help you along the way. He will be your peace, and He will sustain you. Your foot is not going to fall. You are going to trample the heads of snakes and scorpions.
Go forth today in faith and peace. Today is a new day to live the life you have always imagined.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” ~John 14:27
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