A Good Name

"Grandpa, I hate my name," Edna told her grandfather one day."Well now, I think Edna is a pretty name," said Grandpa. "Your mom named you after your great-grandmother, whom she dearly loved.""But I have to go to school with kids who have names like Braxton and Jacob. I wish I had a name that wasn't so old-fashioned!""A lot of babies are being given old-fashioned names these days," Grandpa told her. "Take the name Jacob, for instance. That's a popular name now, but it's a very old one. Remember Jacob in the Bible?"Edna sighed. "Yes, but I still wish I had a different name. I think I'll change it someday. After all, the Bible says a good name should be chosen rather than riches."Grandpa smiled. "Oh, honey, that verse isn't talking about changing your name! It's talking about what people think of you when they hear your name and think of your character. Like I said, the name Edna reminds your mom of one of the sweetest people she ever knew. And when people who know you hear your name, I'm sure they think of what you're like as a person. So…are you friendly and kind? Are you helpful? Or are you selfish and bitter? Those are the kinds of things people think of." Edna just shrugged. "Tell me," said Grandpa, "what do you think of when you hear the name Braxton? Or the name Jacob?""When I hear Braxton, I think of a boy who picks on other kids and calls them names!" Edna answered with a hint of anger. "When I hear the name Jacob, I think of a kid who's really smart. He helps me if I get stuck with a math problem.""Exactly!" Grandpa nodded. "You didn't mention either one as a boy with an up-to-date name, did you? It was their personalities and the way they treat you that you described. So trust God to help you live in such a way that when people hear the name Edna, they think good thoughts. Since you know Jesus, you have His love in your heart, and you can share it with others in how you treat them. Then you'll have a good name even if it's one you might not have chosen for yourself."Edna nodded thoughtfully. "When people hear my name, I want them to think of Jesus." -Sara L. Nelson