Known By Name

My granddaughter is almost 12 years old, but as a 3 year old, she had a very interesting conversation with her mother one day… “Mommy, who is that big guy?” “What big guy, where is he at?” my daughter asked.  “The big guy that eats pancakes at grandma’s house,” my little granddaughter answered. (I’m known in the grandchild circle for my homemade buttermilk pancakes).  My daughter’s thoughts were, oh my, who could this be? Maybe one of grandpa’s friends had stopped by at breakfast time and had been invited in for pancakes. “No,” was the answer when asked if it was Ernie. With no other person coming to mind my daughter asked, “Do you mean Grandpa”?  “Yes,” Josey said with excitement, “that big guy!” Funny! We still laugh at this story when it comes to mind.

Have you ever met someone, maybe several times before, but can’t remember their name? It happens to all of us. I even made a phone call one time and before the person answered I forgot their name. I knew the reason for the call, but their name completely left my mind. That was twenty years ago and I am sure it has happened since then, too. This has not happened to me personally, but I know of situations caused by Dementia and Alzheimer where people don’t recognize husbands, wives, children, grandchildren, people they have known for years. These stories listed above are so true and part of being human. But there will be a day, for all of us, that we will want to be recognized and our name known. We will meet Jesus at the end of our life.

I pray that my relationship with Jesus is like a friend. John 15:14 says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”  I pray that Jesus will know my name. Luke 10:20b says, “but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” I pray that my Jesus will say to me, “…Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21).

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).