Whatever Your Name Is

For many years I’ve laughed at my mom for calling me “Dor, Beck, Cilla,” (Dorothy is one of her sisters, Becky is my sister). Now the tables have turned and I’ve started calling roll. You’ve probably heard someone, more than likely a mom, call out several names before getting to the right one. Every time I say to my husband, “Eric, Jason!” He’ll jokingly say, “It’s Jason Eric (which is his name and Eric is my stepson).” Everyone laughs and I laugh along with them, but it wasn’t until a few months ago that I realized why I do that.

This revelation came one day when Leah, my daughter, was holding our dog, Honey. She was wanting to get down out of her lap, but Leah wouldn’t let her go. Jason does that every once in a while. He’ll ask me to call Honey but then hold her so she can’t come to me. He’s good at aggravating, and although something like this was out of character for Leah, she was acting just like her dad. I said, “Jas, Leah!” I finally figured out that it’s in the heat of the moment when I need to get on to someone, a lot of times they’re acting like someone else and that’s who’s name they are called by first.

This evening I stopped by a friend’s house so Leah could see her daughters for a few minutes and I even called one daughter by her sister’s name. In this case, she doesn’t remind me of her sister, but I figured that was the Lord reminding me of what I should write about today. After all, this is what has been on my mind all day.

Proverbs 20:11 KJV says, “Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”

So watching my nephew, Austin, and my niece, Alex, (who are now in their twenties) grow up, I tend to call their names out first when getting on to my niece, Alana, and my nephew, Andrew. I go down the generations and even call my great nephew, Gaven, Andrew’s name before his own. When they do something that reminds me of the others, that is what flies out of my mouth first. As far as the four of us that live under our roof, anyone could be called anyone else’s name first on any given day, and sometimes I just go straight through the list. It just depends on who they’re acting like.

Thanks for reading and good night, whatever your name is! (haha)

Author: Priscilla Bohannon

I am a wife, a mother and a Christian author. My first book "In Every Situation, God is There" was published in 2014. It's currently unavailable, but I am working on getting it back on the market soon. I enjoy spending time with my family, writing and doing crafts. I clean houses for a living, and have for over 13 years. It provides me with quiet time to reflect on my own messy life. I find peace spending time with the Lord and only have peace when I am walking with Him. Without Him, I'd never make it in this life. View all posts by Priscilla Bohannon