He says my name...

I have a friend who, in the course of every conversation we have, never fails to call me by my name--at least once, usually several times.

We've been friends a long time. We've walked through a lot of tough stuff and heartache together. He knows me...more than just the good stuff, more than just the "surface me"--he knows my shortcomings and stumblings.

And I feel the full weight of that knowledge--and his acceptance of and care for me, even when my attitude is poor and my words are ugly--in the kindness of his tone and in the strength of my name as it rolls off his tongue. He says my name. He knows my heart.

He encourages me, because he's full of character and integrity and honor and God--he exemplifies all those good, godly characteristics...and rarely does he waver.

And when he says my name, it resonates with the strength of those traits and always reminds me that God knows my name and my heart and my shortcomings...and yet He never wavers in his love for me--even when my attitude is poor and my words are ugly.

My friend speaks my name with kindness and caring and knowledge...and that one word echoes back to me the deeper, stronger voice of God.

He says my name. He knows my heart. He loves me.