Favored

Happy Birthday today Samantha Marie! We didn't have a clue on moving day that the little girl next door would be part of our family some day. But here you are and no regrets.

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Samantha means "listener" from the same Aramaic word as Samuel which means "God has heard". Samuel was a prophet who both listened and was heard by God and so his words did not fall to the ground. This is what a prophet does.

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Marie is French and comes from the Hebrew Miriam, Mary or Mara and means "bitterness". The Jews were instructed to celebrate the Passover meal with bitter herbs to always remember their suffering in Egypt. Naomi called herself "Mara" because her life had become bitter. The Virgin Mary, favored by God, was named "bitterness". Suffering has it's place in our lives. Having known you from a child I have seen you grow with inner and physical beauty ..... God's hand in your life working with your desire to be a Proverbs 31 woman. Your heart knows the joys and sorrows your Lord has brought into your life. They have made you the woman you are and the woman you will be. He is the Potter and you are the clay. You could not be in better hands. May you grow in grace and beauty. May you be that woman of God that listens, hears and speaks true as an arrow to its mark. And may your sorrows only bring you joy.