Greetings Everyone.

I can remember the “pastoral visit” to this day. I was a young pastor. I had made an appointment to visit one of the oldest members of the church I was serving. I understood a bit of what I would be walking in to. The husband had terminal cancer. They didn’t know how much longer he had for this world. “Please go visit them. They need a pastoral visit and a time of prayer!” had been the instructions. And so I did.

When I arrived at their kitchen door (the door through which every friend came), I was greeted warmly. I was invited to sit at the dining room table and asked if I would like a cup of tea which I gladly accepted. Then something very interesting occurred. The wife turned to her husband and said, “And what would you like, Father.” He responded by saying, “Could you get me a cup of tea as well, Mother?”

This response surprised me for a moment (I still remember it years later). Here they were in their mid to late 80’s, I knew their youngest son who was in his 60’s, and still they were calling each other by their parental titles. Then I thought to myself, who am I to criticize or judge? Obviously, their parental roles were very important to them. After all it had worked for them for 61 years of marriage.

As I have reflected on that visit over the years since it took place, I now focus on the importance of a name. Accepted names shape my identity. The name not only shapes my role but can also help define my purpose and meaning in life. Nicknames can be terms of endearment or a reminder of a shared experience. Special names can be a code word recognized by those with whom we share special memories.

There are several examples of special names being given in the scriptures. The story of God giving Abram a new name in Genesis 17 is especially meaning full. The name Abram means “exalted father.” But God had just promised Abram that his offspring would number more than the sands of the sea. So, fitting with God’s promise, God changed his name to Abraham which means “Father of multitudes or father of many nations.” The new name declared the promise of God.

When God gives us a new name, we have a decision to make. Abraham’s inner dialogue might have gone something like this: “How will I introduce myself to a new person? If I say I am Abraham the other person might ask me if they can meet my children. If I say I am Abram, I am denying the promise of God. What am I going to do?”