She called me by name. My first grade teacher called me by name and told me a funny memory that she had of me from first grade… from 1981.
No croutons. Extra ranch on the side. The waitress at my favorite restaurant doesn’t even ask. She just brings it to me the way I like it. Because she remembers me.
The eye doctor, greets me, “Good morning Teresa.” “How’s your mom and dad?” “Are you still working at the church?” He sees me once a year.
Being known feels good.
It makes me feel special.
At other times, I’ve ran into people who didn’t recognize me or remember me, unintentionally making me feel small, embarrassed, insignificant. I don’t ever want to make anyone feel that way. That’s why I try to make an effort to remember people’s names. I know this isn’t an easy task for most people. It’s not for me either. But, I’m really trying to get better about it.
Sometimes I just repeat their name over and over in my mind. Sometimes I write it down or put a note in my phone. I believe it’s important to show others that they are important, memorable, significant. As Christians, the way we treat people often transfers to the way they think God sees them. I want them to see God’s love and attention through me. And He definitely knows their name. And so much more.
No one knows us better than our God. Our Creator Himself. Psalm 139 talks about that-
For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
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 139:13-16
One of my favorites books when I was a tween was, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. That’s how the girl in the book would start all of her prayers- by identifying herself. But that’s not necessary. God knows you. He really knows you. He recognizes your voice. He knows your name. He knows everything about you. David said in Psalm 139:1-4 that the Lord knows us even better than we know ourselves. He even knows what we’re going to say before we say it!
You have searched me, Lord, and You know me.You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
You, Lord, know it completely.
Psalm 139:1-4
He knows everything about me. The good, the bad and the ugly. And He loves me anyway. Unconditionally. It’s hard to comprehend really. But it’s true. Nothing I could say, do or think could change the way my God feels about me. He loves you like that too.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
And all He desires is our love in return.
Pray with me: God I love you. Thank you for loving me. Help me to reflect that love to others. In Your name. Amen.
How do you remember people’s names? Leave us a tip in the comments.
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