The Story Behind the Name

Ben and I had a hard time coming up with potential names for our first child. It seemed like every name that I liked got a quick “no” from Ben and likewise his of mine. In the end, we decided to go through names on a baby name website alphabetically, one by one reading them off and if the name didn’t get an immediate upturn of the nose went on a list for review later. After we had exhausted the alphabet we went back to the list and each separately indicated our top three choices for each gender. This became the short list that we used to test out how names sounded, whether we really liked them, etc.

Isaac was actually on Ben’s list and not one that I really cared for in the beginning. However, the more I rolled it around in my head and said the name the more I started to take to it. I also spent several weeks pouring over the scriptures of Abraham, Sarah and Isaac in the Bible (Genesis 16-26 and beyond). It was there that the name became solidified. As I spent many a morning reading I felt God softening my heart and opening my eyes to what he had in store for Ben and I.

Over the course of our pregnancy many asked whether I thought it was a boy or a girl. Early on I really thought it was a girl. As we selected names and I read these passages I changed my answer to a boy. As I studied scripture I felt God whispering to my heart that it would be a boy, an Isaac.

Some similarities of this Genesis story that led me to believe:

1. Sarah had never been able to bear Abraham a child

You may or may not be aware that at the age of 16 I was told that I would likely never be able to have children. I had some female complications and a surgery that produced this diagnosis. I have spent most of my adult life figuring that having my own children would likely never be a reality. At times I was even convinced I didn’t want to have children.

2. Sarah was beyond childbearing age, Abraham was 100

Add to the above piece of information the fact that Ben and I are attempting to start a family at the age of 32. Not ancient by any means, but old enough, especially for someone who was told it would likely be impossible to bear children. Then add on top of all that my high blood pressure issues. By all means, the odds were stacked against us.

3. Isaac means “He laughs” – by a miracle from God

From the very first pregnancy test I have laughed with joy and exalted with this pregnancy. On the days that I was huddled over the toilet for hours or laid up in bed with a horrific migraine. Or the six weeks I was required to be on bed rest to sustain this pregnancy I have never for a moment lost site of the fact that it is only by God’s grace and the miracle of His creation that I have been able to have this child. I am so very grateful!

So, we have our Isaac.

Now the story doesn’t end there because you have to then decide on a middle name (unless you are like our friends the Yexley’s and just don’t give a middle name ). This one was really Ben’s choosing. We spent a lot of time talking over names that had meaning to us, but more specifically family meaning. Ben went through several options but ultimately landed on Daniel, the given name of his father.

Some of the highlighted reasons for choosing Daniel:

1. His gentle leadership

Ben has always valued his fathers gentle leadership within the family and life. He has always been a gentle encourager, encouraging each of his boys to pursue their interests and dreams while keeping a firm foot in reality. He also leads by example rather than just his words.

2. Always sees things through to completion

When talking over the content of this blog Ben mentioned that he feels like he really struggles with this issue of following things through to completion. However, he admires this in his father and wants Isaac to emulate more of this quality he will see in his grandfather than that which Ben exudes. All the while reminding himself that as a father he too will need to be an example of this.

3. A man/family that prays

Ben and I count it as a true blessing that he was raised in a family that believes so strongly in prayer and Christ. Ben’s father, and mother, have one of the most amazing faith’s and commitment to the Lord that I have ever had the privelege of witnessing. Both of his parents did an AMAZING job of raising each of their children in Christ. Ben and I hope that we might be able to follow their example in our own roles as parents.

4. Willing to sacrifice himself for the good of others

Dan is and always has been willing to sacrifice of himself for the good of others. I would say this is one characteristic that I am proud to say that Ben has been able to emulate. I am always amazed at Ben’s patience and desire to sacrifice for others, even those that he hasn’t met or had a relationship with. I am much more judgmental and self-satisfying than he. However, I too hope that our son is as giving and self-sacrificing as his father and grandfather.

5. Want to be as good of a dad as he was too me

Above all else, Ben hopes that he will be as good of a father to Isaac as Dan was to him. Dan gave Ben a life and opportunities that some sons never have the chance to even dream about. For these things we are eternally grateful and hope that we can emulate with our own son.

So goes the story of how our tiny little boy became Isaac Daniel Callahan. May he make us laugh all of our days, may we always remember the miracle that he is to us, and prayerfully may he be the strong but gentle leader as set in the example of his Grandpa Callahan.