When a pastor accepts the call to a new church, there are lots of names to learn.
It’s pretty easy for people to remember us. I hear “Hi Robyn!” many times before and after church. I’m getting to know quite a few people, but often I find myself thinking, I have no idea who you are!
Names are important.
When you know someone’s name, there is a certain level of intimacy that doesn’t exist when a person is nameless.
It feels good to hear someone call you by name.
It’s not a huge deal, but I always feel a tinge of disappointment when someone spells my name as “Robin.” They don’t really know me, I think.
But then again, we can sometimes mess up someone’s name even when we know them well. Back at Platte, in the last month we were there, two people accidentally called me by the name of the previous pastor’s wife. They were good friends of mine, they just had a temporary lapse in their memory banks.
I felt a bit incredulous about their goofs, until I stood in line for cookies one Sunday and talked to a guy about something that related to his brother. I realized my confusion when one of his nieces came up and started talking to him. Wait a second, I thought to myself, that’s not his daughter? Oh shoot! I got the two guys mixed up!
It was embarrassing to acknowledge my mistake. I didn’t want to admit that after three and a half years, I had forgotten his name and confused him with his brother. (To be fair, I had way too much swirling around in my brain that morning. Something had to give!)
He was gracious and didn’t seem to hold it against me, but I still feel bad about it.
We are fallible human beings and we won’t always get things right. We just have to do the best we can as we get to know the people in our lives.
Thank goodness we have a God who knows our name. He spells it perfectly every single time and he never gets us confused with someone else.
Before we were born, he knew what we would look like and the personality we would have.
He knows everything we’ll ever do in our life here on this earth.
I’m so glad he knows my name. I’ll keep praising him for how much he loves me and how he knows every single person in this great big world.
As for me, do you think I’m old enough to start saying, “Hi Sweetie!” or “Hey Buddy!” whenever I greet someone? I think I might give it a try!
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:15–16 NIV)
Do you have trouble with names? How can focusing on God help you feel grateful that he knows you completely? Do you think focusing on God could help you remember the importance of remembering other people’s names, too?
If I hear you saying Sweetie or Buddy, I’ll know why! LOL
I’m many! years older than you and Gary and can tell you it doesn’t get better.
Robert Dean would be 60 this year!
I missed this somehow when you first sent it, Cheryl. I don’t think I’ll ever forget your name, sweetie! 🙂 Thanks for commenting. ~Robyn
Hi Robyn,
My name came out correctly on the email. 🙂
Yes, most people spell my name wrong, too. It only bothers me if I’ve known them for a very long time. For some reason, I’m unpredictable with remembering names. Some people’s name stick instantly, and some people I have to literally look up their name on my phone (with notes). I’m not sure why that is. So it gives me grace when someone calls me Lori or Donna!
Wishing for spring with you…
Lora
Thanks, Lori (I mean Lora!) 🙂
Glad the email personalization worked, and thanks for sharing your thoughts about remembering (or not remembering) names. We just have to do the best we can and show each other lots of grace.
Hope the rest of your moving goes well!
~Robyn
I think I was one who called you Beth! Don’t know what I was thinking but thanks for being so forgiving! Of course I know you are Robyn and so does God!
Yes, you were, Judy! 🙂 That’s okay…I know how our brains malfunction at times. It’s happening to me more and more, too. It’s reassuring that God will never forget us! ~Robyn
I am aweful with names! When I was an Army Recruiter I was challenged greatly with names. I learned to use their name in a sentence 3 times and it does help, but remembering their name is still perishable if not used often.
Actually had this happen to me this morning at church…went for forgiveness by simply saying that I could not recall someone’s first name – turned out fine.
Ultimately, I am thankful that God knows everyone by name and I do not – this proves His Greatness and I am very content with that regardless of my weakness.
Yes, Don…it’s so great to realize that God knows everyone by name. We’ll just have to keep fumbling along and do the best we can. Sad that it gets harder and harder as we get older. I used to be so good with names! Not anymore. ~Robyn