I’m literally the worst at remembering people’s names.
My husband will often talk to me about people, maybe from work, maybe from our ward, and I have NO CLUE who he is talking about.
Like, it’s bad.
BUT I fully believe there is actually a sacred respect around our names.
They are important.
In fact, when I was a full-time teacher, I usually had around 90 new students each year.
And I made it a goal to memorize all 90-some kids’ names by the end of the third day of school.
It was hard work.
I would quiz myself with their picture rosters.
I would walk around the room during independent work and call them by name.
And honestly, I would pray for help.
For some reason, this was a really important goal for me.
And by the 4th day of school, I had them down! Even all the Kylies, Kayleys, and Kaylas.
But a few weeks into the school year, I would notice some other teachers would still be asking students in their own class what their names were, or calling some students by the wrong name repeatedly.
Names are important.
There is something different, deep, and personal about calling someone by their name.
Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind, appeared to Mary first.
And all He said was her name.
“Jesus saith unto her, Mary.” (John 20:16)
Can you imagine the Savior saying your first name?
Really imagine it?
What a tender experience.
And she responds with the respectful title, Rabboni.
Two names were said, but I imagine a flood of meaning and emotion from both ends.
I’m not sure what the “takeaway” is for this lesson, other than it has come up in my life a lot recently so I felt like I should post.
Maybe we can do better at putting effort into learning people’s names and using them often.
Especially those who we have stewardship over in callings.
Maybe we can do better at referring to our Savior and Heavenly Father by name or title more in our home.
Maybe we can take more solace in the fact that our Heavenly Father and Savior really do know us BY NAME.
But names are powerful, personal, and meaningful.
What lessons have you learned about the importance of names?
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
