August 26, 2006
In Proverbs 22:1, we read, “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.” Over the centuries, we recognize the truth of those words. Parents pour over baby name books looking for just that unique and appropriate name to give to their baby. And once a name is chosen, the name and the person travel on a life journey blending and integrating the two until one day, the person is truly the name.
I was named “Donald” by a Sunday school teacher who had a brother with that name. She had English heritage. In the baby name books, “Donald” is a “tall, dark stranger!” I think in all counts, I was miss-named!
I just heard today on the radio that a former inmate decided to name his child, “Misdemeanor!”
Actors found that a good name was one of the keys to their success. Do you know the true names of
Bono—Paul Hewson
Red Buttons—Aaron Chwatt
Chubby Checker—Ernest Evans
Tom Cruise—Thomas Mapother IV
Charcoal Choy—Wallace Choy
Sage
As Lauren and Daniel would say, Sage means “wisdom, a wise and perceptive person.” Sage is also an herb that has healing powers. Out here in the western plains of the U.S., there’s sagebrush, a shrub with small white or yellow flowers. (There’s a hidden metaphor here!) And Lauren’s favorite color is “sage green.”
As we know the Bible speaks a lot about wisdom. We have the wisdom books: The Psalms, Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. Jesus told many stories about the wise man and the foolish man building their houses or the wise and foolish bridesmaids waiting for the bridegroom.
When we name a baby, we endow on that child our hopes and dreams that come from the love that the parents have for each other. And more importantly, every person who comes into this world, God has a plan for her. As we affirmed last Sunday when we dedicated Sage to God, it’s our sacred responsibility as parents, uncles and aunties, cousins and friends to raise this child to fulfill God’s purpose.
Sage is named to stand for wisdom. In Proverbs 2:1-6, it reads,
“My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; if you indeed cry out for insight, and raise your voice for understanding; if you seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasures— then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom.”
Sage, your Mommy was known beginning in junior high to have the wisdom to counsel her friends when they needed someone to talk with. She is now a minister guiding and advising many.
Sage, you have a middle name, “Shih” that not only connect you with your wise Grandmother but with your Great Grandparents who are widely known for their wise teachings and faithfulness in the Lord.
Sage, you come from a long pedigree of “wise guys” who blesses you with love, teachings, encouragement, and for the time being, diaper changing so that you may grow up to fulfill God’s plan for you.
We read that after Mary and Joseph presented baby Jesus in the temple, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. There, the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him (Luke 2:39-40).
May you, Sage grow and become strong, filled with your namesake wisdom. May you receive the favor of the Lord.
DN 8/25/06