What’s in a name?

I am the type of mother that calls her kids every name but their given one.  Maggie is my Moo-shine, Moonshine, Moo-la-roo, Maggie-Moo, Ma-roo-loo, Lucy-loo, Loo-bee-loo, and Snickerdoo.  And anything similar that escapes my lips.  I am not sure where “Lucy” came from as it has nothing to do with her given name.  It is not the name of a close friend or family member.  But she has been “Lucy” at least since she was in middle school.

If you have seen the About page, then you know there is now a real Lucy in my life.  When the time came for me to add a dog back into my life, I came across a picture of “Brandy” on the Virginia Beach SPCA website.  (Don’t buy, adopt.)  During my visit, I am sitting on a bench as “Brandy” is walking around the enclosure, checking me out now and then, and watching the other visits occurring nearby.  I knew “Brandy” was not her name.  She did not respond to it.  I asked her to sit so I could take her picture to “send to Lucy” (Maggie was attending college in Mississippi).  When I said the name “Lucy”, she looked right at me, came over, and sat.

I considered naming her Daisy.  She looks like a Daisy to me.  And it reminds me of ‘Daisy Hill Puppy Farm’ where Charlie Brown got Snoopy.   Tail Waggin memories of TV specials and Sunday comic strips.

During the first few weeks she was constantly at my side, almost a perfect heel position.  Always paying attention to me and learning to respond based upon my actions more than my words.  A really smart dog.  It did not take long for her to figure out this was permanent and her real personality started coming out.  I had to use her name more often to get her attention.  And she responded to “Lucy”.

I could say Brandy, Daisy, Zoe, Dog, Hey … but she would instantly look my way when I said Lucy.  Are we not the same?  Ever been in a crowd and hear your name?  You look that direction!

So picture yourself at a large gathering.  You hear a group of people talking and one of them says a name same as yours.  No matter how hard you try, every time they mention the name, your ears perk up and you listen.  You hear every flippant, irreverent remark.  Over time, you begin to ignore the sound of THAT voice because you know they do not want your attention.  Now picture your beloved is right next to you.  He leans in and whispers your name.  Your heart melts, and you lean into him.  You reach out draw him near.

Our LORD listens for and hears His name every time.  He listens.  He listens to every word from His beloved children.  He reaches out and draws closer.  He hears.  He hears every flippant irreverent comment.  Over time, He ignores the sound of that voice.  (Proverbs 15:28-29)

In our conversations with others, how do they hear the name of our LORD?