Action and Vision

Naming a child is a tremendous responsiblity.  And, we're so very happy with how God has guided us in the naming of our little guy.  Throughout the long and often quiet months of our adoption process- it was the discussion of baby names that kept us entertained.  Although we speculated on many, in reality we really kind of new right from the start.  Last summer we painted the exterior of our very tall, kinda big two story house.  We spent an incredibly intense weekend of hauling scaffolding, paint buckets and...discussing baby names.  Do you like this one, how about that one?  It wasn't until sometime this winter that we really started to narrow down the top contenders.  Really, the process of naming our little guy was more about us discovering the name God had picked for Baby Roth.  I remember a year ago, a new dad commenting on this and I thought to myself... um, ok- but, still you're picking a name for your kid.  It wasn't until we've arrived at where we are today that I understand.

We've named our little guy after one of the great unsung heroes of the Bible.  Here's my paraphrased version of the story... Our little guy's namesame was a man of God who was selected as a leader to go scout out the Promised Land.  After checking things out, they were all to report back to Moses.  Ten of the twelve said- "Its great, flowing with milk and honey.  BUT, the guys there are huge, and they've got giants for relatives and well... there's no way we can beat them.  We look like grasshoppers compared to them!" 
However...the Bible then reads-

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said,

“We should go up and take possession of the land,

for we can certainly do it"

Numbers 13:30 (NIV)

Caleb and Joshua had faith that the Promised Land could be conquered.  But, the Isrealites...well, as usual they all got together that night and got to talking and whining and wishing they would have just died in Egypt anyways.  They got mad and didn't just doubt God.  They basically told Him (our Saviour and creator) that He had messed up.  They took matters into their own hands and decided to elect a leader and head back to Egypt because that was a 'better idea'.   Caleb and Joshua tried again calling out to their peers-

“The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”  Numbers 14: 7-9

But, instead of listening to God's two faithful ones.... the Isrealites started talking about stoning the two 'crazy' ones.  God loves and protects those who are faithful to Him.   And, God was admittedly very frustrated with the Isrealites.  'His Glory' was revealed in a tent of the people.  After reading Numbers 14, I don't think this was a beautiful, majestic, angels singing hallelujah's and peace on earth kind of 'glory revealed'.  It sounds a little more like a dad showing up in the middle of a conflict and saying- "Hey- enough is enough.  I'm done bailing you out and listening to you whine and you never cooperate or have any faith in me".  So, God kicked them back out to the wilderness where he promised everyone over 20 would die and none of you are getting into the promised land BUT..." 

But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24

Caleb was steadfast.  Forty-five years later at the age of 85, after a long journey and a faithful life- he reminded Joshua of the Lord's promise to Caleb as a blessing for his whole-hearted faithfullness.  Caleb was courageous, obedient, persistant and in the end rewarded and greatly blessed by the Lord.  He made it to the promised land (Moses didn't by the way- he got to see but no touch)! 

 Before we were matched with our little guy, we were seriously considering the spelling of 'Kaleb'.  You see, Kaleb is the legitimate Ethiopian cognate of Caleb.  But, we didn't know for sure.... until we learned that our little guy was born on Grandpa Kenneth Berry's 82nd birthday : )  So, the 'K' is for Kenneth and for Ethiopia!  God does amazing work I tell ya!!! :)
We'll call him Kaleb A**** Roth and will be keeping his Ethiopian family name as his middle name. 
This week, I received a letter from my Grandma- the new Great Grandma Berry.  In it, she summed up our name selection quite perfectly..."Kaleb, how fitting- action and vision."

We know our little guy's life won't be easy- it already has had its trials.  It is our prayer that we can raise him to be a faithful man of God who is obedient, courageous and in the end greatly blessed by God.  

God Bless!

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