Facebook Made Me Change My Name

For nearly three years now, my Facebook handle has been Saved by Grace. Earlier this week, however, I received a notification that I would have to provide documentation if this was my real name or I would have to change it.

I was pretty irritated by this development. I had chosen the name intentionally for two reasons. First, I left a life behind me that I am not proud of along with a group of people that I had hurt deeply. Changing my name gave me the opportunity to engage with those that saw the change in my life and recognized God's grace at work while avoiding uncomfortable or superficial relationships with others.

Second, it allowed me to hit the reset button on social media the way I had the opportunity to the same thing in life when God offered me a second chance. Saved by Grace was a name with real meaning – it defined who I am and what I am about. No more being ashamed of the God I love, nor of the grace and mercy I so desperately need. No more putting on a mask to make others see what I want them to believe is going on in my life.

I traded my authentic name with the mask of success for a pen name with meaning and authenticity.

Was I hiding from my past by working under a different name?

Yeah, to an extent I was. I don't want certain people to find me and I fear the harassment others may wish to subject me to. But my chosen name was also a reminder of who I am now – and of the message I know so many other people need to hear.

So now I face the murky waters of social media in a way I didn't choose. My former life is a part of that once more. At the same time, I'm still Saved by Grace. The great reminder here is that in life, we don't have the luxury of hitting the reset button – at least not completely. The consequences of our past actions have lifelong effects. The wounds heal and the scars slowly fade, but they never completely go away this side of heaven.

Despite all that, I am forgiven and redeemed by my Savior who sees only His bride and He has pursued beyond what I ever deserved. For some reason, He thinks I'm worthy in spite of my scars. But then again, once you really get to know Him, you'll begin to understand just how beautiful His scars are as well.