Name Calling

 

 

Somewhere in time, this week, I have been writing a short story about some events in my childhood.  When I was a child, I was called shy because I was quiet.  I was called short, but that was a statement of fact.  My older brother, on the other hand, loved to tease me and he called me “ski slope nose”, for the way my nose turns up on the end.

Does what people call us define us?

There were a couple of taunts we would chant back when someone called us a name.  “I am rubber, you are glue.  Everything bounces off me and sticks to you” or “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”

The taunts never worked.  Words hurt.

Words like, stupid, mean, ugly, worthless – hurt, regardless of the teasing tone used when spoken.

If we really think about it, God says we are his children. 

I John 3:1 “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”

If God acknowledges us as his children, we are accepted, imperfections and all, by the creator of the universe.  What can mere mortal say to hurt us?

Perhaps the world has labeled us because they don’t know us.  They don’t know our heavenly father, so they can’t understand us.

Of course, not all labels people place on us are cruel.  It’s nice to be called, smart, nice looking, sweet, compassionate and generous. 

At this point, in my life, I have learned a few things.  When I am shopping and the clerk tells me how nice I look in a product, it feels nice, but I know this is a sure sign the clerk is hoping to make commission on a sale.

 

Matthew West - Hello, My Name Is (Lyrics) from matthew-west on GodTube.