HOPE in a Name

Although it was over a year and half ago, it seems like just yesterday that I was mourning the loss of my aunt. While no loss is ever easy, processing the loss of someone who has lived a lifetime makes accepting the loss a bit easier. And now, I have returned to the same place to mourn my cousin, taken well before her time.

Shannon was two years older than I… causing me to look up to her when we were younger. I admired her free spirit and effortless ability to make friends. Anytime we gathered for holidays at their home, I was amazed by the amount of friends Shannon had… comfortably huddled with each other, surrounded by a swirl of laughter. I will never forget her smile that lit up a room and her laugh that would cut through a crowd.

When we deal with a passing, we go through a flurry of natural emotions ranging from disbelief and despair, anguish and anger, love and loss. While processing the loss, we can choose to see God IN it or we can blame God FOR it. One reaction results in light and love while the opposite invokes darkness and despair… either reaction is based on our faith or lack thereof. I choose to see God in all things, including the passing of a loved one… whether they are taken after a lifetime or taken much too soon. In Shannon’s untimely passing, I choose to see HOPE and a legacy of love.  

Recently, I have become intrigued with the etymology of names. So, when I researched Shannon’s name, I was comforted by what I discovered. Shannon has a spiritual connection to God. This meaning is the exact connection I HOPED to share during this time of loss. I call divine connections that carry life-long lessons Godwinks. The meaning behind Shannon is a huge Godwink. Shannon, in both Hebrew and Gaelic, means wisdom. God couldn’t have chosen a better meaning than wisdom to convey a message of HOPE during this tremendous loss.

In her death, Shannon has left a legacy of wisdom for all of us. While we can choose to focus on why she is no longer with us, I choose to focus on how she lived and what we can learn from her life based on wisdom from above. You see, as soon as you become a believer in Jesus, His Holy Spirit lives within you, providing you with God’s wisdom and guidance. You can see God in all things… loss, longing, love… yes, all things. Godly wisdom isn’t just about intellectual knowledge, but a profound understanding that comes from a deep connection with God. It’s not something you can fully experience until you believe in God’s Son.

Faithful judgment enables believers to be sensitive to God’s will; making decisions that align with His plans and purposes for each believer’s life. His wisdom propels us to become someone bigger than ourselves, enabling God’s light to extinguish the darkness and avoid decisions that cause even more darkness. In fact, God gifted us the Book of Proverbs; containing twenty-one references to wisdom. A popular Proverb is from chapter 3, verses 5-6: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him (God), and he shall direct thy paths. 

Yes, we must trust God’s wisdom, not our earthly understanding. Keep your focus on God, and He will clear your path… He will allow you to see the path He has for you. When you lean into God’s wisdom, you will be able to see His good work in all of it… every loss and love, every trial and triumph, every struggle and success. Honestly, God’s wisdom is nothing short of a game changer. You are NEVER alone with His Spirit living within you. This does not mean you won’t go through times of trouble and trial, but it does mean you will come out on the other side of it stronger, wiser, and… with more HOPE. I repeat, you will never be alone with God by your side, indwelled within you, connected to your soul. Only God can fill the void in your soul. And… you will see God working all things for your benefit. Godly wisdom packs a ton of HOPE into each setback and stumbling block, turning them into setups and successes.

If you want to have access to God’s wisdom, all you need to do is ask with a repentant heart. Yes, all you must do is to believe Jesus is your Savior and you will find light in the darkness and HOPE in loss. There is no right or wrong way to ask, but if you still need words to fill the void in your heart, I have words you can borrow. You can start by saying: Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and have a relationship with my heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you said this prayer with a genuine and repentant heart, you are now born again in Jesus and God’s Holy Spirit indwells within you. You now have access to God’s Shannon: His wisdom, will, and way. Get into God’s Word, surround yourself with Godly friends, and follow His purpose and plan for your life. You will begin to see God in everything: the storms, the trials, the tribulations, the tests, the darkness, the losses, the light, the love… you will see God in all of it. My HOPE is you will see how your life can be filled with love instead of loss, faith instead of failure, and HOPE instead of hurt.  God is in it ALL and He works ALL of it together for good.

Thank you, Shannon, for leaving a legacy of love and life with a lesson immersed in Godly wisdom and HOPE. We love you for being full of life and love and find comfort in the Godly lessons connected to your identity. My HOPE is your passing brings God’s peace to all who knew you and now know the TRUE wisdom imbedded within your name.