I Prayed for You by Name

Natalie Melin
Mar 1, 2019
2 min read

There was a season that all I could think about was getting pregnant and in my small group we reading The Circle Maker. At the beginning of the book, the author mentions a couple they knew who prayed over the name “Jessica” because God had placed it on their heart. They never had a daughter, but felt pressed to continue praying for this name. One day, their son came home from college with a girlfriend named Jessica, who is now his wife!

God, you’re so good! These in-laws were praying for their future daughter-in-law before their son was even born! This sparked something in me. I wanted God to give me names I could be praying for. This would keep my mind off of pregnancy. I needed a distraction. The negativity and frustration within me needed a purpose.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” – Matthew 13:44-46

When I read this passage during a quiet time, one line stuck out: “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.” I felt like I was searching for something…to start a family. I was yearning for that joy of leaving everything I had for this pearl. I was ready to grow our family of 2 into a family of 3 or 4…heck, I’m a Melin, so 7 or 8! The name Pearl was pressed on me.

Before becoming a foster parent, the girls’ bedroom was my prayer room. I had prayers pinned into the wall. I weekly led a group of high school girls in there. The “Trust God Period” sign hung in that room. The names that God gave me were pinned into the wall. I prayed for Pearl daily. I would say, “God, I don’t know where she is, but please protect her. Give her strength to fight." I didn't know when I would meet her, but I prayed that it would be in His perfect timing. I prayed for her future. I prayed that she would be bold.

I can't overlook how the timing of my prayers was close to when Hannah started speaking boldly about her abuse. This boldness led her and Lydia out of a terrible living situation and into our home. Every passing month, we learned more about Hannah's story and how she protected her younger sister. This little girl endured so much in 10 years...more hardship than most will experience in a lifetime. As adoption approached, it was time to give Hannah a new middle name to precede Melin. There was no doubt in my mind that Pearl fit her perfectly. Pearls are formed through great pain within an oyster.

Isn’t that how God works? Beauty from Ashes.

Hannah is a beautiful person inside and out. She is the definition of a pearl.

Piece by piece, God is unveiling a captivating story of redemption with a new family and a new name.