Mela Kamin – 4:10 Ministries

In this space, I want to write not only about what God is doing in my life, but what He’s already done.

This is part of my story …

My real name is Pamela.

Fourteen years ago, you could find me representing my clients at an NRA show. (not that kind of NRA) – I was at the National Restaurant Association trade show in Chicago. An Italian gentleman, who worked for a cappuccino machine company, saw my name badge and said, “Puh-MAYLA, would you like a cappuccino?”

I giggled.

Later that day, I told my boyfriend (now my husband) the story, accentuating the man’s thick accent, making him seem more suave than he actually was.

Greg said, “Mela. hmmm I like that.”

And that was that.

I’ve been Mela to him & his family ever since.

At that same time, I was in the midst of Bible information classes and getting confirmed.

Big changes were going on in my life and in my heart.

I was falling in love with Greg and with Jesus.

As I became more comfortable with myself, my faith and using my gifts, I started asking others to call me Mela.

Many people didn’t understand the point or the significance. Without knowing the story, they simply thought I was being pretentious or just picking a name that sounded pretty. When I corrected them, they thought I was being petty.

And, at my core, I was worried my parents wouldn’t understand. I agonized over telling them. But, they’ve always been incredibly understanding. They accept who I was and who I’m becoming.

My Mom has even transitioned to calling me Mela in public. I’m grateful for that kind of support. It might seem small to you, but it’s HUGE to me.

If you know your Bible, this story may seem familiar.

Let’s see … Esther was really Haddasah, most famously – Saul later became Paul, Abram & Sarai became Abraham & Sarah, and countless others took on new names, given to them by God.

“… a name carries a lot of meaning. It symbolizes who a person is. This is why God is always changing people’s names in the Bible. A name change signifies that something fundamental has altered in a man or woman’s life.” From The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

I especially like that Mela is essentially the other half of my given name … the part people usually forget about.

But, not God. I’m unlikely, but not unworthy – I am marked, defined and named by Christ.

“I am not who I was
Being remade
I am new
I’m chosen and holy
and I’m dearly loved
I am new”
- From “I Am New” by Jason Gray



What’s the story of your name? Do you have a nickname?

A few of the places my heart and mind have gone this week …

GRACE: I read this post by Mary DeMuth on Michael Hyatt’s blog about grace and leadership. Her words got me thinking about the ways I cheapen grace in my own life. I often talk about a lavish grace we receive from God.

I expect others to afford me grace when I stumble, but do I consciously withhold grace from those who hurt me or those close to me?

Are my hands closed and arms crossed because I’m busy holding a grudge? Am I closed off from opportunities to show grace, because I’ve put some human limit on how much grace someone should be offered?

DREAMS vs CALLING: Emily from Chatting at the Sky discussed having a dream vs a calling Wednesday. I loved her insight, especially this: “God calls all people to pursue their unique gifts, to discover the ways He wants to influence the world through them, to leave a trail of beauty.” Then, in yesterday’s continuation on the subject, she clarified an internal struggle I’m wrestling with by saying “You are called to a message, not a method.” Wow. Nailed it. And beautifully said.

This has been on my mind lately, as I navigate whether I will pursue another album. Even though I have songs, I wonder if that might not be the best method to get out my message. I have to think of my motives and how best to use my gifts – not just my voice & words, but money & time.

HEAVEN: I was blessed to win an audio copy of the NY Times bestselling book, Heaven is for Real, by Todd Burpo from Michael Hyatt’s blog. I opened the package in our driveway, all three of my kids looking on to see the contents. My kindergartener saw the cover and said, “My teacher has that book!”



When we arrived at school, I asked her about the book and she enthusiastically told me about reading it in two sittings. She passed it onto an unchurched neighbor and prayed he might read it and that it would plant a seed.

As I went about my chores, I listened to the Burpo riveting family’s story. The details little Colton shared about his visit to Heaven moved me to tears and filled me with joy. I begrudginly paused the book, as I had to go pick up my kids. After bedtime, I finished listening, though I had wished it continued. Who doesn’t like getting an eye-witness account of a place you’ve only heard and read about?! Beautiful. I’m passing it onto a friend today and hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

FAILURE: And, lastly – I heard this good word from Chip Ingram this morning: “Failure is never final.” I’ve been feeling like a failure in the parenting dept., after an increasingly challenging week of behavior issues.

After I drop the kids off at school, I put on a local Christian station that plays Chip’s Living On the Edge broadcast. I’m always encouraged and uplifted and often challenged through his wise, Biblically-sound teaching. When I heard Chip say these powerful words, I was struck by three things.

1) I saw my own journey and whispered a prayer of gratitude for God’s enormous grace and love;

2) I saw how harsh I’ve been with my kids – expecting to get so much out of those small vessels and

3) I was convicted of my cheap grace again. I have a particular person that keeps coming to mind when I hear about grace, about reaching out to someone, about loving someone who doesn’t seem so lovable … I’ve had the conversations in my head, I’ve prayed and I know it’s time for me to make a move.

Failure isn’t final for me and I need to see others as just as worthy of that grace.

What have you learned this week? How have you been challenged?

My 8 year-old is just like his Dad in so many ways – both middle children, handsome, fast, run on little sleep and are fiercely independent. But, stubborn like me.

You’re welcome, world.



A superhero who likes to cook. Gets that from Greg.
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He’s our sensory-seeking, loud, fast guy with boundless energy. Until he was three, he slept through the night a handful of times. I didn’t know at the time, about his sensory needs or the challenges that would pose.
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He rarely stops moving.
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Did I mention he rode a two-wheeler at age 3, without help? – yep – amazingly coordinated kid.
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He loves to play catch & throw a ball, run fast and climb walls (literally) …
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and occasionally bounce off them too (not just figuratively). He’s in gymnastics and has natural ability, plus a fearlessness that makes it look easy. He’s incredibly strong.
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This past Summer, he started mowing the lawn. We have a pretty big yard, but he jumped at the chance. The handle of the mower is at chin level, but he never complains.
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The pushing and pulling are like therapy for his joints. We don’t leave him out there unattended and so it adds time to a job we sometimes just want “done,” but he gets the sensory feedback, the sense of accomplishment and knowing he’s helping and gaining responsibility.
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And then there are (the few) times he stops moving. Gus was working on coloring a life-size picture of himself (ala Flat Stanley) and the Librarian was doing her homework. I decided to ask him some questions and write down whatever he said.
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Here’s the interview. The answers reveal a wise-beyond-his-years and still funny 8-year old.
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• What do you think you’d like to do when you get older?
  Be a ranger spy (he had just been playing with his Nerf gun, which might have swayed his answer)
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• What’s important to you?
  Our house and our family
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• What do you think is important to God?
  Us, His children
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• How would you spend money, if you had some extra to give away?
  I’d give it to the poor.
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• What do you look for in a friend?
  That they’re nice, but it’s OK if they’re sometimes mean, because Jesus said, “Love one another – even your enemies.”
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• What makes a good wife or husband?
  Being good and not stealing, so you won’t go to jail.
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  What does it mean to trust?
  To believe in a person that they would do something, like if you give them a toy, you can trust in them that they will keep it and not get it lost.

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I love taking the time to hear what he thinks about life. Too often, he’s moving so fast, I can hardly keep up. But, if I ask for a hug, he’s the first one to run to me – and when his friend lost his grandparents in a car accident a couple months ago, he made him a sweet card and we prayed for his family.
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He’s strong, but also sensitive …
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just like his Dad.
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What have you learned from your kids lately?