When I was in high school, I dreamed of becoming a Spanish teacher and eventually, a school administrator. Because of that, I was given a unique opportunity to shadow our district’s superintendent for a day. I didn’t end up working in education, but I’ve never forgotten what Dr. Richard Hughes taught me that day: name recognition matters.
While we were touring one of the elementary schools, a student I had worked with during a summer camp saw me and waved. Of course I smiled and waved back, but as we walked away, Dr. Hughes asked me if I knew that little girl. I told him I did and explained the connection. Then he asked, “Do you remember her name?” “Yes…?” I curiously replied. He told me, “The next time you see someone you recognize, call them by name. People like to hear their name.”
I imagine he learned this principle from Dale Carnegie’s teachings, who is well-known for saying “a man’s name is to him the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”
My career path may have changed from those high school days, but that lesson about calling someone by name stuck with me like glue.
These days, I enjoy standing in the foyer of our Sunday school building and greeting most of the children by name. I may only get to teach five or six of the little girls, but I want every kid who comes in to know that they are seen and that they are known.
That hope to make children feel special has carried into other areas. When I began working on the yearbook for our Christian school this past year, I did my best to caption as many photos as I could. I also tried to find ways to include those who may not have been pictured in the yearbook as frequently. Of course, some were camera shy, but I did my best to say, This child was here. Not just a nameless face in a snapshot, but this is her name. This is his name. They matter.
The idea behind the lesson that Dr. Hughes taught me that day is that calling someone by name makes an impression—especially on a child or those serving with you. It feels like wow, he knows who I am. She knows my name. Put aside the cautionary lessons about pride for just a moment and consider this. Doesn’t it feel good when someone acknowledges you? Especially by name? It puts a little extra spring in your step, a little more gas in the tank to keep going, keep working, when you feel like you’re seen and known.
Now think of how many people you encounter, especially on a Sunday at church. Do you just see a crowd of meaningless faces? Or do you see each individual?
I think one of the greatest tools of the enemy is the desire for recognition. If Satan can’t lift our hearts up in boastful pride, he’ll drag us down into discouragement. He might make us feel as though our existence is overlooked, our contribution is meaningless, and that we are unknown.
Instead of wallowing in self-pity, why not try to encourage else someone simply by saying their name? Look them in the eye and let them know they aren’t invisible. You may not know but that person may be struggling with the exact same feelings as you. Remember Proverbs 18:24:
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly…
We would all love to be called by name, and there is no better friend than the One who knows your name.
Dr. Hughes and Dale Carnegie may think this is a novel idea, but the Good Shepherd has been calling His children by name since the beginning of time.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. John 10:3
The Lord knows your name. He calls you by name. Stop and meditate on how precious that is—He doesn’t just see a crowd of people on the Earth, He sees His children. You aren’t a faceless nobody to Him.
The Creator of the Universe, the One who flung out the planets and “made the stars also” knows your name. In Isaiah 43:1 He says, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine.” When you were saved, He wrote your name in a Book better than any school yearbook—my name is in the Book of Life, Oh bless the name of Jesus!
Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20
What a comforting thought that the Lord keeps records, not of random statistics, but of names! Not because He needs help remembering, but because you matter to Him.
And more than your name, He knows your service. Momma, He sees your sleepless nights and the sacrifices you make for your family. I hope you feel valued and seen by those around you. But whether or not anyone ever acknowledges your dedication, He sees it. Nothing is ever wasted with Him. Three times in Matthew chapter 6, Christ said what He sees in secret, “He shall reward…openly.”
As I worked on the yearbook, there were some photos that time and space just didn’t permit me to caption. It pained me not to be able to list every name. But there is plenty of room in God’s Book. He knows every name. Every face. Every moment. Nothing is ever forgotten by Him, and He wants to write your name there too, if it isn’t there already.
All God asks for you to do is acknowledge His son’s name, call upon it, confess that you are a sinner, and accept His free gift of salvation. He promises:
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. Romans 10:13
The name of the LORD. That strong tower I can run to. (Proverbs 18:10) The name that every knee will bow before one day. Because His name matters above all others.
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