I have a problem remembering names.

I used to bluff my way around the problem…

(After counseling someone for a 50-minute hour, I usually – not always – pray for them. But as I begin praying, I sometimes realize I’ve forgotten their name. So my prayer has to include ‘my brother here…’ ‘my friend…’ etc.)

Here’s Noel Mitaxa’s suggestion:

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Unforgettable You

Friends of ours called their dog Blackmail. Why? Because it was a black male!

Babies ¢â‚¬â„¢ names traditionally defined or predicted their character; or recorded a birthday event. One Old Testament baby was saddled with  Mahershalel Hashbaz ¢â‚¬”to permanently recall his father ¢â‚¬â„¢s hunting failure!

Surnames once described occupations; but now we meet Bakers, Cooks, Coopers, Smiths or Butchers in all kinds of jobs or businesses.

Names today define us far less; but remembering names can be hard if we deal with lots of people. So, rather than relying on rhymes or pictures by association, I prefer using people ¢â‚¬â„¢s names several times when I meet them. It ¢â‚¬â„¢s more personal, and it helps me mentally file their details along with their names.

If I forget, I smile and confess:  ¢â‚¬Å“One of us has forgotten your name, and I ¢â‚¬â„¢m hoping it ¢â‚¬â„¢s not you. ¢â‚¬  It ¢â‚¬â„¢s only failed once; and briefly; when I thought a man said,  ¢â‚¬Å“It  is  you. ¢â‚¬  But now his corrected name ¢â‚¬”which is  Hugh ¢â‚¬”is indelibly stored forever!

The bible describes how God not only remembers our names; he knows who we are on the inside. And to illustrate the intimacy of this knowledge, Jesus said that God numbers the hairs on our heads ¢â‚¬”without any promises of extra credit for baldies who simplify the calculation. He is emphasising how we may relax in his acceptance of our present; we may allow him to forgive every shame from our past; and we may tap into his energy to work towards our potential.

Noel Mitaxa

On behalf of a church near you…

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