Continued from, “A Good Name – Part II“
Anyone who lingered by the teddy bears was visibly moved. With swollen eyes and my arm around Frank’s waist, we walked another two hundred yards to the 3:00 position and found ourselves just one block from the base of the towers. Nothing impeded our view of the charred remains and the heavy equipment. The site was still smoldering. The vivid devastation took on a whole new dimension. It was a horrible sight; one which evoked scenes of war torn cities. How could this happen in New York? I wondered how many millions across the globe have asked that same question about their hometowns. Never forget…
Frank and I attended a dinner function that evening and we parted ways the next morning. Outside the hotel door, we hugged longer and harder than usual. He took a taxi to The Bowery to visit a program which mentors youths at risk and I boarded the Long Island Railroad to speak at a weekend retreat on Long Island As I reflected upon my time near the base of The World Trade Center, I kept thinking about the touching words written to a beloved father; “You have given us a good name and we promise to make you proud.”
A good name. A legend is told of a teenaged boy in the army of Alexander the Great who ran away from the battle line. He was summoned and when the fearless conqueror learned the boy’s name was Alexander, he became even more infuriated. At the mother’s pleading and wailing, he spared the boy’s life but left him with a final ultimatum; “Change your ways or change your name!”
Many of us grew up in families where “a good name” was highly valued. I have attempted to bring honor to both my married and maiden name. As Christians, we are members of a great family spread across the planet and steeped in a rich two thousand year history. We have the same Father. I am saddened that I do not always live up to the name “Christian.” I am disappointed for not always making choices that would cause my heavenly Father to be proud. I don’t want to take the family name lightly. I don’t wish to bring shame or rebuke upon it. When I fail to reflect the character of Jesus, I cringe at the thought of God warning me to change my ways or change my name.
Father, you have given me a good name and I promise to make you proud.
2 Chron 7:14 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Prov 3:3-4 Let love and faithfulness never leave you…then you will win favor and
a good name in the sight of God and man.
Prov 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches…
Ecc 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume…
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