A Good Word Wednesday #86 NAME

A little bit of goodness for you each Wednesday

Good Word of the Day: Name

You know you are in deep trouble when your mom calls you by your full name. I can hear the voice from my childhood when my Momma, in her sweet southern Arkansas drawl, would say emphatically…“DeAnna Lynn Travis!” When I traveled with our church pastors a few years ago to Toronto on a mission vision trip, I made sure in advance that I knew their full names: Bryan Christopher Pain, Matthew Gregory Henderson and Jordon Ross McCullough. (It came in handy a few times and got their attention quickly!)

It takes time to get to know a person, doesn’t it? Where do you start? You start with a name, a smile, and a listening ear. Those are actions you may do naturally but some of us need a few reminders. Who knows? That one small step could be the beginning, the first layer of a friendship; an opportunity to share the love of Christ with them. You don’t have to feel like you need to change the world today. Just learn someone’s name.

Our name sets us apart. When someone says our name, we feel seen. And we are reminded that God saw us first. “But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Of course, God values our entire being, not just our names. Sadly, many people don’t know of their worth, that they are priceless. We are all seen. Treasured. Loved. That’s who we are. (Note: Some of this section is from the Introduction to Unseen People.)

What three words would you use to describe yourself?

I love the story of Hagar when she knew she was not forgotten. She calls God by name. Read it in Genesis 16.

And He knows the name of those unnamed in scripture. Those in remote villages on the other side of the world. Individuals on crowded city streets. Each person, including you and me, are precious, chosen, loved.

Wednesday in the Word

‘You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.” Psalm 139:1. Read all of Psalm 139:1-18. Then, read it again.

“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Genesis 16:13

Share Your Good Words

Good Questions of the Week: Do you like your name? How do you feel when someone calls you by name? Have you met someone new this week? What was their name?

Photo: She Is Safe

Good Unseen People

This story is in Unseen People:

I am a child of the 1960s. Apparently then it was a thing then for siblings to all have names beginning with the same letter. I was born the third child where “D” names were the thing. My brother is Donny (until he got all grown up and now goes by his given name Don. Whatever). My sister is Debbie (two Ds actually – Deborah Diane). And then there was me…. Hmmm.. what to name another girl child with a D. Hmmmm…

All of that to say… I know who I am. I am a most loved, treasured, daughter of the King. That’s all that matters. He knows where I am and how to spell my name. He knows me. And I’m good with that.

Read the whole story here: This Is Me

I invite you to read more about how God calls us to see the unseen and call them by name. Click the link below to read more on my website about Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life With Your Neighbors and the Nations.

To mark the progress of the book and to give you weekly insights into my writing life, please follow along and watch the videos on This Week in Unseen People. Click the image below to watch the videos on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe to my channel while you’re there!

CLICK HERE FOR NEW EPISODES: Episode 6-My Reading Chair

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Good Words I Recommend

A Good Book: The Power of God's Names, Tony Evans

Another Good Book: People in the Bible: Encounter 125 Heroes, Villains & 'Ordinary' Souls, Woodrow Kroll

A Good Song: O Praise the Name of Jesus, Hillsong

A Good Music Video: The God Who Sees

A Good Resource: I’ve written an e-book, 7 Simple Ways to Show People They Are Significant. I’d love to send it to you. Free. Just send me a message!

A Final Good Word

I have a terrible memory. Johnny and I can watch a movie and he knows we have seen it and I think we are watching it for the first time. I don’t recall names well either. Unless I’m paying close attention. When I meet someone and want to remember who they are, I write his or her name down quickly before I forget and try to remember to pray for them that week. That’s my encouragement to you too. Pay attention. Look people in the eyes and listen. Ask their name and use it in your conversation with them. Try to frequent the same places to see if you can see those same people often. That’s how you start to build a relationship. It starts with a name.

Thank you for reading these words. I’m deeply honored to share this time with you each week.

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Write in a book all the words I have spoken to you. Jeremiah 30:2

I’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share. I value your thoughts!

Please share a good word with someone today.

Gratefully yours,