It's all in a name

"Andrea!", I heard my sister call... "Just a minute", was my reply... I was in the middle of an email, and wanted to finish my thought before heading downstairs. It was almost dinner time, and my nephew Will had been sick... Gayle probably needed some help.

Before I could finish, I heard a little voice say, "EEEEAAAHHHH, EEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH". William had learned the power of a name. Granted, he only used the last two letters of my name - but he knew that if he called, I would come. His expectation was met as I rounded the corner and came down the stairs. And, I must confess, it felt so good to have him say my name... to hear him calling me. It is good to be known... and to be loved.

I've been thinking about names a lot this past week... as I've traveled to see friends and family - I'm known as Aunt Hammy, Aunt Neena, Aunt Andrea... names are important... and I am amazed at the power associated with a name... "and it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [Jesus] shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) Those who call upon His name can live eternally... that's powerful! In fact, Jesus promises that "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels." (Rev. 3:5) What an amazing idea - that the Lord of Hosts knows my name! That Jesus, King of kings, pleads my name before God Almighty... what a Savior!