Reflection: “Remember a name and call it easily and you have paid a subtle and very effective compliment.” Dale Carnegie.
Sometimes the most unusually named callers come through on the radio. Behind the scenes, there’s probably a producer asking them how to pronounce their name as they rapidly write the correct phonetic way to say it for the announcers. Why? Because when you say someone’s name, you have a chance to instantly build connection.
We can be so quick to say “I’m terrible with names” but what if you’re missing out on an incredible opportunity? Yes, it takes effort and intentionality, but if words have power, then names are incredibly potent agents of communication. There’s nothing sweeter than the sound of your own name.
How do I know it’s powerful? Jesus calls us by name. There’s something incredibly humbling and warming about knowing that someone cares enough to commit your name to memory.
We have the same chance every time we see the name tag on someone who is serving us, a student on a roll call or when we’re trying to resolve conflict at work. How can you use the power of a name today?
Prayer: Thank you, God, that you call me by name, that you know my name! Thank you that we have the opportunity to give that same honour and recognition to people every day. Help me to also know the power of your name, Jesus, and that even in that one word alone, I can find strength and hope for today.