Name Droppers

I was cleaning out three-ring binders the other day. As I looked through old school notes different friends came to mind. One class-mate in particular kept surfacing in my memory. There is one thing I remember this person for: she was an avid name-dropper. She either knew said famous/important person, knew someone who knew them, she was related to them, had worked with them or had lived next door to them. 

Understand that I am not making fun of her. I've always found it sad, actually. Her worth had to be tied up in someone else, never in herself. I wonder if she ever came to realize how valuable she alone is. There is no need to attach our value in someone else. 

There, also, is no need to allow others to use our name -- whether it be to negatively name drop, to use it in vain or to cheapen it by the way they treat us. This is no good and not acceptable. I don't know who said it but this is one of my favorite quotes: "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

One day someone took the time to think carefully about your name.

What would you be called?

What might that name mean?

Is that name associated with someone special to them?

You should carry your name with great care for it identifies a very precious person:  YOU.

My niece and nephew could not say "Aunt Debra" as toddlers. Somehow "Bebbie" came to be their name for me. It is a name I cherish to this day. For the longest time they considered it "their" name. A cousin started calling me "Bebbie" and their response was "She is OUR Bebbie! You can't call her that!" As they grew up their special name for me grew and changed, but always with the component of "Beb" in it. I hold that name close and love that most family members call me by that name. 

To this day I smile when I remember Granny Masters calling me. I don't know if my brothers or cousins share this experience or not. It was wonderfully funny -- as if she was calling the cows home (and no, that is not a negative connotation). "Debra Lou----iiiissssseeee!!!!!" She drew that name out as she sang it out shrilly. It cracked me up then and draws a smile to my face to remember it now.

I offered many opportunities growing up for my mother to call me by my full name: Debra Louise Gaddy! Oops. We all know what it means when we are called by our full name. 

If you know me you've heard this before: there is one name no one can ever take from you. That name is Child of God. It is spoken in the most precious form of love you will ever experience. The Psalmist experienced it. He knew full well what it meant and how it felt:

...you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

-- Psalm 139:13,14 --

I love Psalm 139. It is a favorite Psalm that I use often in prayer. 

It rejoices over God's love and acknowledges that we are precious in God's eyes.

If you want to do any name dropping today try that name: Child of God.

The responses will be varied and interesting -- but I tell you one thing for sure, you very rarely will find someone who will use it against you.

Enjoying the Journey,

Debra

bebprov356.blogspot.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.

-- Proverbs 3:5-6 --