What’s Your Name?

Another song blast from the past. “What’s your name? Is it Mary or Sue? What’s your name? Do I stand a chance with you? It’s so hard to find a personality with charms like yours for me. Ooh-ee, ooh-ee, ooh-ee!” I’m grinning from ear to ear as I remember the sweet and tender, but sometimes hokey 60s love songs that pulled at my heart strings. Sheesh! I’m revealing how long ago that I fell in “puppy” love, and songs like that spurred it on. It meant a lot to my then boyfriend (and, eventually my husband) and me because Sue is my middle name. Names – the importance of what our given names are, as well as the names we call ourselves.

I couldn’t resist taking this photo of a baseball fan mom of one of the opposing team’s players at my grandson’s baseball game. It was evident she wore that shirt with pride. Why would she be proud of “Sarcasm”? How about a t-shirt that said “Encourager” or “Cheerleader” or “Proud Mom” or even “Free Hugs”?

Then I thought about a little child wearing a t-shirt that said “I’m a little monster.” Maybe she was a little mischievous, but by no means does that make her a monster, and neither should she be called one. And, then I saw this precious little girl wearing a t-shirt of who she really is: “Princess – Daughter of the King”.

Our reality may be what we’re calling to ourselves. If we want and desire a life of joy, contentment, peace, and love, doesn’t it make sense that we do our best to promote it in every way possible? If we want our children to be confident, feeling loved and embraced, shouldn’t we be calling them champions and winners?

Our dear and close friend, Zig Ziglar, offered inspiring words that led the way in optimism and building others up. He wrote the best-selling books: “Born to Win”, “See You at the Top”, “Raising Positive Kids in a Negative World” and so many more “what you say, is what you get kind-of-books”. I remember these words he spoke: “There is power in words. What you say is what you get.” “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.”

Obviously, that baseball mom and the one who put a “monster” t-shirt on their child never read those books. And, obviously, this little girl’s mom or dad know how important it is for their child to be affirmed.

Our family gleaned a field of knowledge from Zig’s mentorship and leadership style. We raised our two children on his faith-filled, action-filled words. But, even more to the point is the Bible which says: “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7) And talk about name-calling, how do you like the names that God calls us? Blessed, beloved, friend, child of God, chosen one, righteous one, beautiful, blameless, light of the world, holy, royal priesthood, redeemed. So, as children of Almighty God and made in His image, shouldn’t we be calling ourselves, and those around us, names that build up and encourage? Our reality may just be what we’re calling to ourselves. We have a choice. I am choosing life!