"He called me by my NAME today, Dad!"

I was picking up my 10 year-old son, Connor, from school last week when I inquired about his day. “Dad, today was one of my best days ever.” When I asked what made it so great he said with excitement, “My P.E. teacher, Coach Gaylor, called me by my name today.” “You know what that means don’t you, dad?” Connor asked. “That means he now knows who I am,” he concluded.

That little story reminded me that we all want to be known as more than just “a somebody.” In fact, nothing is sweeter than hearing our own name called and nothing more frustrating when someone just calls you “hey you” or can’t get your name right. Our names are important to us. Not to long after I moved to Childress I introduced myself to one of our elderly ladies following church services. I asked her, “Have I met you?” She responded, “Yes, three times.” Needless to say, I remembered her name the next time I saw her.

Do you remember the popular television show “Cheers?” The show was based around a bar in Boston, and the theme song from the show stated that Cheers was the place to be because, “You want to be where everybody knows your name.” They knew that we just want someone to know our name.

I love the way Jesus says in John chapter 10 that he’s the Good Shepherd and he knows his sheep by name. Did you catch that? He knows your name. You are more than just a “hey you.” That ought to put a little spring in your step. And if you want to have “one of your best days ever” like Connor, then I suggest that you remember that there’s a Good Shepherd that knows you by the sweetest name of all… your name.