“I hate my name!” exclaimed a six-year-old boy when I asked him to write it down on a piece of paper.
“Okay, but I need to know how you spell it,” I grinned. “I don’t want to make a mistake. Other people who will read it might think this book belongs to someone else.” (As an author, I always write the book owner’s name during my book-signing activities.)
He then wrote his name: Ezekiel.
“What a lovely name! It comes from the Bible,” I said, writing it on his book. “He was a prophet – you know, someone through whom God spoke. Do you know what Ezekiel means?”
He shook his head.
“It means, God makes us strong. Much of what God said through Ezekiel really happened.”
***
He smiled. I would have wanted to talk to Ezekiel more about the wonders of his name but the next kid in line was getting impatient.
“My name is Carla!” she said.
“Oh, hi! Is that spelled with a ‘K’ or a ‘C’?”
There are as many names as there are grains of sand in the beach. Sometimes, even if two names are pronounced the same way, they are spelled differently. Why is that?
Being a mother, I think I know why.
***
Before a baby is born, both mom and dad take a lot of effort in choosing a name for their son or daughter. They consider many possibilities: names of grandparents, famous people, close friends, Bible heroes, etc. Then they narrow down their choices and pick what is best.
Some parents want unique names. That’s why they change the spelling of popular names. Sometimes they add a vowel, or sometimes a consonant.
I know of a little boy whose name is pronounced David, but is spelled “Dheyvhid.” Now, that is really unique, don’t you think?
***
In the Bible, God our Father, did some naming Himself.
Abram was renamed Abraham, meaning father of many. At that time, Abram wasn’t a father of anyone directly. God changed Abram’s name as a sign of His promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations.
Then there’s Abraham’s wife, Sarai. God changed it to Sarah, which means my princess or mother of nations. Sarah was already very, very old and she thought she would no longer have a baby. But God made her the mother of many nations as well.
Jacob was renamed Israel. Israel means, he who has the power of God. Although Jacob tricked his father and brother into giving him power and position, God wanted to make it clear that it was He who gave Israel power and position, not Israel’s own selfish tricks.
God changed Simon’s name to Peter – it means, God has heard, or rock. On his own, Peter was not a rock. He kept changing his mind, depending on situations. With the Holy Spirit, however, Peter became a stable rock of the church.
***
Yes, there are as many names in the world as there are grains of sand in the beach.
So why don’t you try finding out how you were named? I am sure the process of choosing it was something special.
Just as God chose names for His chosen people, Ezekiel’s parents spent time choosing his name. Your parents also did the same in choosing yours—especially for you, and only for you. Love your name.
***
Please get in touch with me through my blogsite — www.leavesofgrace.blogspot.com or email me at—gdchong@gmail.com.