Good Morning, God!
I’ve been meaning to write about the importance and power of names for weeks now! I’ve always been — what I charitably call a Name Hawk — ready to correct people who call my friends by an incorrect version of their name. Names ARE important.
Naming others is important! Here is an excerpt from a blog quoting from Madeleine L’Engle’s book, A Wind in the Door: [referring to the Echthroi Progo says]
War and hate are their business, and one of their chief weapons is un-Naming – making people not know who they are. If someone knows who he is, really knows, then he doesn’t need to hate. That’s why we still need Namers, because there are places throughout the universe like your planet Earth. When everyone is really and truly Named, then the Echthroi will be vanquished.
I am taking a small step toward doing something about the importance of names. For several weeks I have brought names tags to events at our church and also created a form for people to request an official name tag. That’s because when I KNOW someone’s name that person moves into a deeper part of my mind and my heart. So learning each others names seem like a way to create a healthier and more welcoming congregation.
Oh, and I just came across another use for names. In the book, Micro Resilience: Minor Shifts for Major Boosts in Focus, Drive and Energy the authors quote Dr. Amen as saying, “Often just naming a thought can help take away its power.” I hadn’t thought of that. But, I like the idea that there is power in naming!
There is also power in hearing ourselves say things OUT LOUD. I wonder, God, if that might make naming a thought even more powerful? Speaking the name out loud! Taking a position of power. Speaking!
I like that. I am going to try it.
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
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