Dear Children

Dear children,

Someday people will most likely make comments about your names.  Those comments may occasionally be derogatory or confused ("Are you Amish?!"), but will typically be complimentary or benign.  "Oh, what a nice name!" they'll say.  

You're welcome.

Please don't think that this is unintentional. Your mother and I have made every effort to grant you names that attract attention, not because we want to be those hipsters who came up with the world's most original names, but because we want your names to mean something.  You see, your names are more than just words used to beckon or identify you.  They are opportunities to proclaim the Gospel to the world.  They are occasions of worship.  They are ideals we hope become realities in your life--not merely names, but epithets.

This emphasis on the importance of names by no means originated with me.  This idea pervades the Bible (as it did the cultures of the ancient world) and was handed down to me by my parents (your mother, I am sure, derived it from her parents as well).  From my earliest days I was told that I was given the name Josiah in hopes that I would be used of God, like King Josiah of old, to effect reforms in a backsliding nation.  The fact that random people think it is a lovely name is a happy coincidence.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Genesis Eve.
Galilee Christine.
Grace Alleluia.
Gabriel Lee.

I am speaking to each one of you individually.  Your name is your calling. You are marked by baptism, to be sure, but that is unfortunately easy to disregard.  After all, you didn't make the decision to get baptized anyway.  Your name, however, will follow you wherever you go.  If you choose to abandon the faith of your fathers, your name will bear witness against you.  Unless you change your name, you will never be able to escape the reminder that you were raised in the Christian faith. Whenever you meet new people or apply for a job, you'll be reminded of the faith of your parents. Every time you write your name on a government document or tell the, you'll see a reminder of the Word of God and its claim on your life.  I pray that such a reminder is unnecessary, and that, your name is a constant source of encouragement to you as you serve God and pursue His calling upon your life.

With paternal affection,
Dad