Listen for His Whisper

By Paula Williamson guest writer

The Day God Changed My Name

I must tell you how it came about that my grandchildren began calling me “Mercy”—lest you think I am better than I am. It’s interesting how nothing in the life of a child of God is ever insignificant. God works in ways we rarely notice, carefully arranging circumstances, one small detail at a time, for purposes far greater than we can see. Little by little, He is shaping us into the image of His Son, and every seemingly ordinary moment is an ingredient in something extraordinary.

One morning, during my quiet time with God, I sensed Him telling me that He would do something life-changing, something significant in my life. I wish I could find my journal from that day to remember His exact words. I just remember sitting there in awe, wondering what it could be, and thanking Him in advance, asking if I might even notice it when it came.

Later that day, my new son-in-law brought over his boys. Michael, the oldest, asked if I would play chess with him. I agreed, and as we played, every time I had him in a position to jump his piece, he would beg me, “Have mercy!” And of course, who wouldn’t?

Somewhere in our conversation, he asked what he should call me. I told him my other grandchildren called me Nana, but he could choose whatever he wanted.

After the game, we went for a walk in the woods. He found a perfect spot to build a treehouse, cleared away the brush, and climbed like a monkey. I ran back to get pruning shears to help trim the branches, and when I returned, he was gone.

I called his name, and he ran to me. I asked where he had gone. He said, “I thought you were tricking me.”

I looked into his sparkling brown eyes and told him, “I would never do that.”

Then he said words that would change my life: “Oh yeah, you’re Mercy.”

I looked at him and told him it was the nicest thing anyone had ever called me. That day, I shared my quiet time with my daughter about the sense that God had promised something significant, and she asked if it had happened. I told her that perhaps it had been Michael calling me “Mercy,” and how blessed it had made me feel.

Since that day, three of my grandchildren—and even my daughter—call me by that name. It is humbling to bear the honor of being called by one of God’s characteristics. Mercy was not how I would have described myself most of my life, yet each time I hear it, my heart softens in a way that transforms me from the inside out. It is a gentle, powerful reminder of God’s love working through others to shape our hearts.

I remember attending a birthday party where an old friend learned what my grandchildren called me. She stared into my eyes and said, “God changed your name.” And in that moment, I realized the profound significance of that day. Just as God changed Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, He had placed a new name upon me—not to honor me, but to reveal His mercy flowing through me.

God paid a ransom for all His children, not with coins, but with the blood of His precious Son. When we come to Him, He gives us a new name: chosen, loved, saved, forgiven, redeemed, children of God. We bear His name. We are His.

Scripture reminds us of the names God gives us:

• Colossians 1:13-14: I am delivered. I am forgiven.

• Colossians 1:22: I am reconciled.

• Colossians 2:14: I am debt-free.

• Ephesians 1:4, 7, 13: I am chosen. I am redeemed. I am sealed with a promise.

• Ephesians 2:22: I am His dwelling place.

• 2 Corinthians 2:15-17: I am His fragrance. I am a new creation.

• John 3:16, 8:36: I am loved. I am free.

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And one day, we will receive a completely new name from God, just as He has prepared for each of His children:

“Anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Everyone who is victorious will eat of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.” — Revelation 2:17 (NLT)

God’s love is enormous, infinite, and transforming. He changes us from the inside out, and sometimes, He uses the smallest, most ordinary moments to remind us of His extraordinary mercy.

A Closing PrayerHeavenly Father,Thank You for Your mercy, for giving us new names, and for showing us who we are in You. Help us to live as those who are chosen, redeemed, and loved. Transform our hearts from the inside out, Lord, and let Your mercy flow through us in every word, thought, and action. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotional Takeaway:God can use the smallest moments to reveal His mercy, transforming our hearts and giving us new names that reflect His love, grace, and purpose in our lives.

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This blog was taken from my book, Listen for His Whisper, a free download.