Well, it's a story that has grown hairs, I have been telling it for so long, but here goes.
A long time ago, I was listening to an SA officer preaching, and in the course of the sermon he talked about it saying in the Bible that God has a name for each of us. I haven't a clue whether this is right or not, and in those days, I didnt have a Berean bone in my body- if he had said that the bible says the moon is made of cheese, I would have probably believed him.
Anyway, being a curious type, I thought about this, and prayed to ask God if he would tell me what my name is. I am not known for my persistence in prayer (!) so I strongly suspect I asked but once.
In the following days, a phrase was stuck in my head 'I am your father' (Star Wars moment???) I mean 'God is my father' again and again it pestered me 'God is my father' 'God is my father' 'God is my father'
Then I came across a computer bibley-thingy which was a dictionary of names found in the Bible. I thought I would have a look- and there it was. Abiel- God is my dad. So I decided to believe that this was God telling me something.
Of course God then raised the stakes. It has been on my heart to add the name officially for about 3 years, but it always seemed like such a weird thing to do. I thought that using it as my internet name might be enough, but it hasn't been. So now I have taken the plunge. It has no real implications for my life, except for I feel that I have been obediant in this matter. I guess my Dad dying was the final straw. Perhaps, with hindsight, this has been God's way of preparing me for the loss of my earthly father. My heavenly Dad will see me through.