Friday, 19 June 2020

Thought for the Day - Friday 19 June


Thought for the Day – Friday 19th June

Another Friday!

‘Some time later Abraham was told, “Milkah is also a mother; she has borne sons to your brother Nahor: Uz the firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel (the father of Aram), Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel.” Bethuel became the father of Rebekah. Milkah bore these eight sons to Abraham’s brother Nahor. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also had sons: Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maakah.’ (Genesis 22: 20-24)




I had a hospital appointment yesterday – all very surreal in the midst of Coronavirus – but no grumbles from me on that front rather I was very thankful for all the precautions which were taken to ensure me and my immune system were protected from Covid-19!



Although my appointment was in a different hospital – having had to travel to a private hospital in Glasgow for my NHS appointment - in all other respects the appointment was very much as one usually finds them. However, what struck me most yesterday, being seen by a new and different team of people, was the number of times I was asked my name, it seemed every time I made a move from one part of the process to another I was asked to confirm it. Then, of course, each time I responded there would be a comment on how unusual it was in the way it was spelt and where that spelling came from etc. etc. Now this is nothing unusual for me – I have after all had this all my life – even been asked once or twice if I am sure I am spelling my own name properly! -  but being asked so many times yesterday did make me think about the names we are given as children.



Then I remembered Nahor - Abraham’s brother – and decided he must certainly be worthy of winning a prize for giving his children unusual names!



He had eight sons with his wife Milkah and four with his concubine Reumah and as you can see from the text every one of them had an unusual name – I mean really Uz and his brother Buz!



Although being Biblical names I am sure they will all have meaning – hidden or otherwise to those who heard them. 



Anyway no matter their names or the meaning of them these sons of Nahor were to become ancestors of the 12 Aramean Tribes just as Abraham and his side of the family would become ancestors of the 12 Tribes of Israel!



So what we need to reflect on is that no matter our name, no matter the meaning of our name, no matter how our name is spelt, no matter how strange or unusual our name, we too as unique human beings created in the image of God will one day become someone’s ancestor too.



Hopefully they won’t be surprised by our names when they discover us in their family tree!



Prayer



Loving God,

You of so many names yourself – Creator, Almighty, Master, Omnipotent, Shepherd and so many more, may we always hold in our hearts and minds a sense of our past, our present and our future, May we remember always that you will be with us throughout all time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen



Friday Fun Time:



Here are your questions and challenges for today!



1. What’s the most unusual name you have ever heard someone called?



2. Name five people that you know with unusual names.



3. Would you change your name and to what or are you happy with you being you?



4. Which of your ancestors has meant the most to you?



5. Make up five unusual or silly names.


No comments:

Post a Comment