by Sandy Kirby Quandt

William Shakespeare wrote, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” What something is matters more than what it is called. So what’s in a name?

With the addition of a new puppy to our home, the task of giving him a name was high on our to-do list.

Because our new puppy is black with a little white on him, Pilot thought the puppy’s name should have something to do with black. He suggested Darth Vader and Johnny Cash. Both of which I quickly vetoed. So Pilot went with his next choice, Baxter Black, after the NPR Cowboy Poet. Fine with me.

In elementary school I remember some of us girls went through a phase where we absolutely detested our names. We wanted a different name. A new name. Something we felt identified us better than the name our parents gave us. I have no recollection of what name I felt suited me better, but I’m sure it was stunning. 😉

Of course, along the road of life we are often given nicknames people feel identify us more accurately. I love a cartoon I saw of two dogs discussing their names. One dog tells the other, “My real name is Brutus, but my family calls me Mr. Handsome Pants.” Too cute.

At the end of our lives the Bible tells us Jesus will give those of us who belong to him a white stone, and on that stone a new name will be engraved that no one understands except the one who receives it.

While we may not be pleased with the names our parents gave us, I’m sure our new names that are written down in glory will be stunning.

How could they not be? Our LORD Jesus is the one who chose it for us.

So what’s in a name? Do you think it matters what we call something? If you have pets, how do you go about choosing a name for them?

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Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it. Revelation 2:17 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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