What's in a Name?

Entering the world of "The Blog" is quite an interesting and somewhat scary move. Have I just added "Blogger" to my list of titles which includes: wife, mother, daughter, teacher, cook, maid, launderer, worship leader, camp counselor, nurse, dog trainer, friend, singer, thrill-ride seeker, aunt, athlete, and expert sleeper-inner?

It begs the question: What's in a name, anyway? Am I simply a mom? a home-school teacher? a one-week-a-year camp counselor? a second-string worship leader? a Neosporin-armed child's nurse? a brand-new blogger?

Hopefully, if you choose to be a reader of this particular blog, you will find out that I am actually none of those things independently. I am simply a child of God, trying to live the way He intends for me, using the gifts He has given to me, often failing miserably, but also enjoying so many of the opportunities He affords me.

So, as I blindly feel my way through learning about this blogging business, I look forward to sharing bits of my life and learning a little more about myself in the process.

So, what's in a name? I was never one for exploring the meanings of names, but my name is Sharon, and I've been told it means "Princess." What in the world does that mean? I didn't even make the top ten in the Washington State Pre-Teen pageant in 1986~dreadful...not that I lost, but that my mom entered me in it in the first place. I think she somehow wanted to see that I lived up to my name. Sorry, Mom. I do know, however, that God sees me as more than a princess, and that is good enough for me!

Now, how about the name "Prose of Sharon"? Anyone get it? I truly feel that naming this blog was more difficult than naming my two children--the pressure! "Be witty & clever. Be interesting & funny. Be unique," I told myself. Share Share? No. Sharing with Sharon? A bigger no. Ruth's Writings. It was getting worse.

Then my inspiration hit: Rose of Sharon. That was my mom's real inspiration for my name. It's from Song of Solomon~the love book! So, how do I incorporate that? I know, Rows of Sharon. Maybe, but a stretch. Oh! I've got it! Throes of Sharon. Yes! I excitedly started to set up my new little blog: Throes of Sharon. I thought, "How clever of me." I was very proud. Until I went to church.

Tall Paul, that's what I call him, was on the worship team with me this past Sunday. I knew he would be the perfect person for me to run this by. I explained how unbelievably witty I was. How it was a play on words: Sharon goes through the throes of life. Perfect. Tall Paul then informs me that throes actually means a painful struggle, and it is usually associated with the phrase, "...and they succumbed to the throes of passion, and consequently had to get married."

Back to square one.

"What do I do, Tall Paul?" I then placed the task upon him to name my new blog before we left on Sunday.

Tall Paul. I have to give him the credit for my blog's name. As the whole worship team sat eating our King Donuts, he introvertedly said "Prose of Sharon." After running to the Webster's dictionary in my husband's office, I affirmed that, yes, that is the perfect name! Thank you, Tall Paul.

I am curious. What does your name mean?