Paul's Name Story's a Bit Less Intense Than His Birth Story

Our newest bundle of joy, Paul Jonathan Charles is named after two of my very favorite men, my grandfather and my husband, plus a whole lot of others who are really amazing as well.

Between Jon and I, we couldn't think of a single "Paul" we didn't like, we could barely think of any we didn't really love and admire. Is that a weird reason to choose a name for your baby?

Here are just a few of our heroes that inspired us to name our son Paul.

Dr. Paul Scott is my beloved maternal grandfather. My whole life I have been blown away by his selfless serving attitude. Even the rare moments he takes for himself to watch the news or work on his abundant garden are so easily cut short by the request of another for a true need, or even a simple whim, without complaint of the interruption. He constantly takes care of others before giving a thought to himself. His humor, gentleness, hospitality, intelligence, love for languages, thriftiness, and generosity are just a few of the traits we wouldn't mind if he passed down to his namesake and great grandson, Baby Paul.

Dr. Paul hasn't met Paulie yet, so here's a shot of me passing him a pumpkin from his abundant garden a few years ago (appropriate as I like to call Baby Paul, "Pumpkin.")

The New Testament Apostle Paul in the Bible is a second hero of ours, who nicely complements the Old Testament prophet Isaiah that his big brother is named after. When we were choosing a name for little Zy two years ago, Jon and I read through the book of Isaiah to help us decide. This time it was lovely to read through the Pauline epistles and be reminded of Paul's beautiful insights and encouragements to the churches he wrote to, with continued inspiration for us to this day. Here are the few quotes from Paul's writing we chose to frame for little Paulie's nursery, in hopes that they will speak to him throughout his life.

Here's Isaiah's print that shares a wall, and Isaiah's name story from two years ago. 

There are a number of other Pauls we love and respect. Two of whom are dear missionary friends serving overseas.

Paul Hoffman was my pastor, mentor, and beloved confidant as I served in Bolivia for three years. He led our church, challenged me daily to grow in my faith and walk with the Lord, and most heroically runs an orphanage for sick babies, Judah Quy with his wife, Kristin. Their family continues to grow in size and love as they add children through adoption, proving everything he preaches he truly believes and practices. His sacrificial life is evident to all. 

Dr. Paul Evans and his wife Alicia are sweet friends of mine going all the way back to vet school, 13 years ago. Over the past few years Jon has also had the pleasure of getting to know and love them. Last year, Paul sold his share of a vet practice, and they moved their family of five to Zambia to serve with Christian Veterinary Mission long-term. Their honesty, transparency, dry humor, and sweet nature are truly endearing. 

Regarding Paul's middle name, my Jon doesn't go by Jonathan often, but I do love the name. There's a tradition in Jon's family, going back to Baby Paul's great great grandfather, to give the firstborn son the father's first name as a middle name. We broke with that tradition with Isaiah Brantly, but are making it our own with his brother. Since Jon is a second born among a family of firstborns, he has a special place in his heart for the second baby. So we chose to honor Paul with Jon's name.

We'll never know if Jon would always have been as relational with any other name, or if David's friend Jonathan, in the Bible's 1 Samuel, influenced him to be the trusted friend that he is to so many. Either way, we hope Paul Jonathan will be as wonderful at serving, helping, listening to, and loving others as his daddy. 

"The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself." -1 Samuel 18:1

By naming him after so many great men, we don't mean to put too much pressure on him toward greatness, but hope to honor those men, and point Baby Paul Jonathan toward virtues we respect and would love to see in him as he grows into the unique man of character God intends him to be.