He Knows My Name

I have to admit, I was a little resistant to buying, picking up, and reading this book because in my mind I was thinking; “Oh great; another hot pink feminist book trying to make me feel like I should stand up against men, they should respect me first and then if I choose to I will respect back, etc.” BUT after reading the first chapter I couldn’t put it down. Many times I have been reading in my room out loud (I do that a lot-that’s how I learn) and when I start busting up laughing because Jen Hatmaker is so vulnerable, passionate, real, honest, and says it how it is; kind of like me sometimes (so I have been told), my family members wonder who in the world I am talking to and laughing with; I just say; “Don’t worry. It’s just Jen Hatmaker- the author of this awesome book I’m reading about what/who God thinks/says I am in Him and its so excited and joy-giving!”
Even a few guys at the church youth group sarcastically asked; “What’s up with the girly hot pink book your reading?” and I was quick to wrap up the book in a few sentences that went something like this; “I know it looks like a lame feminist girl book, but it is so cool and this author who is a pastors wife goes through the 4 women in Jesus’ genealogy and she is so passionate about God, how we are his princesses/daughters, and she has such a heart for the hurting/outcasts/needy/poor/shunned people of our world, which I really love.”
I can really relate to Jen’s heart/passion/compassion for other hurting/oppressed/persecuted women and children in our world; “When I hear of our Islamic sisters being beaten into submission and of the genital mutilation performed on the five-year-old girls of some African groups, my heart cries out for holy intervention. The baby girls of China are thrown out like garbage, and Vietnamese families are selling their daughters into sex trafficking for $150 or less” (Ch.#1 - pg. 19). Psalm 103:6; The Lord works righteousness and justice for ALL the oppressed.
I enjoy reading how Jen reminds us through God’s word that; “As a woman, you are precious and worthy, important and necessary. You hold value within your relationships, and, more important, you were credited with value the moment you were born. That basic human value transformed into a stunning holiness when you took the name of Christ. Before you were a daughter, sister, wife, mother, you were a delight to God, who designed your every facet and sent you to earth, a gift to all who would know you.” (Ch.#2 pg. 42). Psalm 139:13,15-16; You created my inmost being . . . My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
One of my favorite quotes of Jen because I can relate at least 3 days a week when I walk the halls of ASU or malls of Scottsdale; “So help me, I’ve had it. If I see another vacant, self-absorbed socialite carrying a little dog and posing for cameras with that practiced glance over the shoulder, I’m going to vomit. I would love to wrap my hands around their underfered little noodle necks and make them put their cleavages away and wear some underwear, because my daughter is a tween, and as God is my witness, the first time she speaks one adoring word about Britney, Paris/Nicole, Jessica, Christina, or “L.L.” it’s only a mater of time before I’m named in a restraining order.” (Ch.#3 pg. 51).
If you have never read about Tamar’s life crack open your Bible right now to Genesis and see what this woman went through, and at first glance you may think; wow what a sinful little whore, but God used her in magnificent and wonderful ways. Have you ever noticed that God does not create junk/trash, but he creates treasures. We (us judgmental and sinful people) make people look like junk. God used a lot of “sinful” people in the Bible to do His work and bring Him glory. The 4 women in Jesus’ genealogy were all prostitutes/harlots in some way. Read Tamar’s story below;
In Genesis chapter 38, Tamar is first described as marrying Er, the eldest son of Judah;[2] according to the text, God killed Er because he was wicked (although it doesn't give any further details),[3] and so Judah asked his second son, Onan, to have sex with Tamar, so that the offspring could be declared Er's heir.[4] The narrative implies that Onan didn't object to the sex itself, but performed coitus interruptus so that there wouldn't be any offspring he couldn't claim as his own, so God killed him.[5] Judah is portrayed as viewing Tamar to be cursed, and is therefore reluctant to give her to his remaining son, Shelah;[6] he first tells Tamar to act like a widow, until Shelah, the youngest son, has grown up,[6] and then when he finally does, he still won't give Tamar to Shelah in marriage.[7]
According to the text, after Judah's own wife had later died,[8] he decided to use a prostitute at Enaim; the prostitute in question was Tamar, who wore a veil, making herself unrecognisable.[9] The passage goes on to state that Judah offered to pay her a goat in arrears, but she asked for Judah's staff and seal as security towards this payment;[10] having given her this security, he made her pregnant,[11] but when he later sends the goat, she has gone and taken the seal and staff with her.[12] The text states that three months later, Judah is told that Tamar had been acting as a prostitute, and had become pregnant as a result, so he orders that she should be burnt to death;[13] Tamar sent a message to Judah with his signet ring and cords and staff; and announced that the owner of the items is the father of the children. Judah recognises them, stating that she is more righteous than he is. Judah, afterwards, takes her in to his house, but does not have any more sexual relations with her. Tamar later gives birth to twins (Perez and Zarah). Perez is in King David and Jesus Christ' lineage.[14]

No matter what you have done in your past; sin, regrets, guilt, etc. . . . . God can still use you for His glory. Believe me; I am living proof of this. Every Christian woman is. We weren’t born God’ children/daughters of The King/princesses .. . . . .that happened once believed in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross/started living for Him instead of ourselves/once we started following Christ/accepted Him/chose to remove ourselves from the throne of our lives and put Him there. Righteousness, justification, sanctification, and holiness take time; even once we think we have it all together/that we are doing good/think we are a pretty good Christian . . . . we fall – flat on our face. Why? Because we live in a sinful world and we are humans with sinful and human hearts. If it wasn’t for failures, mistakes, sin, wrong choices, temptation, and living in a fallen world I think I would forget that I need a Savior and His name is Jesus. Through suffering, pain, trials, and hard times we are humbled, made more like Him, draw closer to God, and realize and understand that we need Him above all else.
As a 1st-born, A-type, strong-willed, stubborn, passionate, loud woman . . . . . . its very easy for me to go through my busy days without stopping to realize, thank, and acknowledge God in my accomplishments and productiveness. When I look back at my day, week, month, and sometimes year I am humbled and at the same time shocked at how many times I allow myself to do things on my own without Him and they are usually times that do not go so smoothly and then I look at the times that I did have faith, hope, and trust in God; those are the times that not only was I able to bless others, but in return God blessed me too.
Thank you God, Tamar, and Jen Hatmaker for reminding me who I am in Christ; God’s daughter and princess, a child of The King, special, unique, wonderfully made, made for a purpose, and that I am here on earth to bring glory to His name and glorify Him in everything I say and do; wow – what a challenge we have before us; that WWJD thing isn’t so cheesy after all because I feel the important need to take every thought, word, and action captive and ask myself before I say or do anything if it glorifies God is vital in today’s world.