What’s In A Name?

Mr. L was a nice man…a little loud, but funny.
Everybody liked him.
I did, too…except for what he called me.

I would secretly cringe if I saw him on the other side of the street.
I wanted to disappear so that he wouldn’t notice me.
But I was too slow, or he was too quick.

Hi, Reggie, he would say, in his loud booming voice.
REGGIE…a name for a baseball player, maybe.
…a boy, probably.
But not a girl. Not me !

My name was officially Regina.
It means “queen” I was told over and over.
So, I, the girl with the regal name, was called Reggie, for all the neighborhood to hear.

Ironically, my mother thought that I would be the only Regina when I went to school.
There were three.
We were all Regina…all of us regal…none of us were to have nicknames.
No one else had Mr. L calling her Reggie from across the street.

Then I got to high school and someone called me Reg.
It stuck and it was somehow okay.

Soon, I met Michael, the quiet one.
The one who sat in the front row by the window in math class.
The one who eight years later, would become my husband.
He called me Gina.

And that was more than okay.

What’s in a name?

Names must be important since God says that He has engraved us on the palms of His hands. (Isaiah 49:16) Can you imagine what that monogram looks like?

Names must be fragrant since we are told that a good name is better than fine perfume. (Ecclesiastes 7:1) Can you imagine the pleasant aroma?

Names are recorded since the names of believers are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
(Revelation 21:27) Can you imagine how beautiful that looks?

I often think of people in God’s Word with commas after their name.
Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night… (John 3:2)
Barnabas, which means son of encouragement… (Acts 4:36)
Saul, who was also called Paul… (Acts 13:9)

I wonder what the comma after my name might be.
Gina,  _________?
How would God describe me?

But all of this questioning about names is insignificant when we take time to ponder the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2: 9-11)

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

It really doesn’t matter what we are called.
What does matter is that we call on HIS name.

When Your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty. (Jeremiah 15:16)

What a humble privilege to bear His Name.
That is a name I want to shout from across the street…louder than Mr. L ever could.

2 responses to “What’s In A Name?”

1. Of all the names I have been called, both kind and unkind, some deserved and others not, the one I cling to is “child of God”. It erases the ability of unkind, but sometimes rightfully earned, names to hurt or shame me. It sets all other names in their rightful place. It breathes life when other names don’t or can’t. “Child of God” reminds me where I am going and who will be there when I arrive. It sets the course and provides the manna needed for the journey ahead. My Father bestowed this name upon me and I wrap my heart around it. A gift beyond measure. I am His.
   Thank you Gina for this powerful reminder of the importance of a name.

   Reply

   • Cinda,
     I am always blessed by your insights.
     I pray that we continue to encourage each other, on this journey, to bear His name well.

     Reply