Then there is the vocal tone of usage of the nickname and circumstances in which it is used that also gives us an indication of the user's meaning.
Time has taught that most people need familiarity with each other, an equality that is respectful. Yes I recognize the bully usage as well, but let's focus on the positive for today.
Over the last month and a half work life has been lightened by 2 new employees that find joy in giving me nicknames. So the playful engagements have caused me to think.
What event in the earth's history caused people to gravitate to familiar references compared to the formal references? One of the first moments I can think of is Abram and Sarai's name changes made by Jehovah to Abraham & Sarah. The "h" is evidence of God's breath, of new being, both of existence with purpose & eternal covering. God's grace-name, the breath of life.
How about a young maiden known to most the world as Esther (Hadassah her Hebrew name). Her name change brought about a historical event that saved the Jewish nation from annihilation.
Then I think of Jesus (Yeshua) pronouncing Simon as Peter (Patar). Patar became the pronouncement of purpose. In Hebrew, from Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, patar has many images, "a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix) -- firstling, openeth, such as open." Now imagine Simon's shock and awe of Jesus' nickname for him. This name carries weight, responsibility (Jesus, his Rabbi, just called Simon the first). Not just Rock as we tend to interpret Peter, but Jesus' next in leadership. Wow!
So the next time someone gives you a new nickname, or uses one you've heard forever, Listen. Hear what the word means to them through their pronouncement over you.
The musical accompaniment for today is from Jim Croce, with I Got A Name.
hmm.. interesting post.. Nicknames were used as a way to torment and tease in the past so I tend not to think well of them. but I can see your angle too.
ReplyDeleteAnnette, I understand your angle as well. And yes it has been and still is true for me today. I choose to gravitate toward the positive to keep Lucifer at bay and torment him instead.
ReplyDeleteA daughter of the Most High God has ammo, I use it. Death/torment was overcome and in that grace gift I'll place torment back on the tormentor.
AMEN TO THIS SISTER. WOMEN WITH SWORDS.
Deleteinteresting. as along as nicknames are harmless, i am ok with it.. but when it daunts me, i will have to rebel. lovely writeup on the prompt
ReplyDeleteDeeps, I have to admit I wrote the post prior to the prompt release. I usually stand amazed how near the word I am without beforehand knowledge.
DeleteInteresting take! I actually like nicknames because they show some sort of intimacy between the name giver and the person being called that way. I have some nicknames only certain people call me by and I truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteKatha, so true there is a level of intimacy or trust/comfortableness/implied safety in the case of my new employees. I had 5 male mentors/bosses that communally gave me a nickname. It was respectful, accurate, meaningful, and taught me a very deep lesson that has changed my approach to people and myself. They grabbed it up from a statement my mother made only 1 time. The nickname was Princess, intended and pronounced with strength, asserity, honor, dedication, and a furious command of respect when needed. The lesson I carry with me to this day: I am A Princess and my brother is a Prince making me A Daughter of the Most High God. One of my mentors got me a T-shirt I still have saying: it's not easy being a princess and has a 5 point crown below. And it's true sometimes it's not easy to be God's daughter, I don't wear a bejeweled crown outwardly but I do inwardly.
DeleteBeautiful post and reminder. Let's look to the positive names we have been called in life. Let's hear Him call our name and pronounce us His. Praying for you and Andrew this morning!
ReplyDeleteJoanna, thank you for the covering prayers. Perfectly said, He does call us by name, as he sees us.
DeleteI love the affection the nicknames give. I've always felt to priviledged when someone took the time to give me one.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I totally agree. Time on the behalf of the giver is the gift.
DeleteGreat post Barb! Nicknames are very different from name-calling. Nicknames are terms of great endearment between two folks. Name-calling? Not so much.
ReplyDeleteChristy, perfectly articulated.
DeleteI've been Suzie Q, Suzy, Sus', Sue, Puss. Now my grands call me Mimz. I've never been called anything mean. I'm grateful for that and had never really thought about it until right now! Thanks, B.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I have several immediate family nicknames Sis is the one used by my male family members in a time of great need. This doesn't include Andrew, he prefers S to use my name with levels of intensity, which is a respectful form of a nickname. The way God calls us by name to get our attention.
DeleteNicknames are interesting. I never wanted my kids to have them, but they got them anyway. My brother used to call me the old gray mare, for Mary. More appropriate now, than then. That is a brother! Then there is Tqhousecat, which I came up with for myself for facebook,when I was afraid of exposing my own name, and it just stuck. I never thought of God using nicknames, but I guess he did. Thanks Andrew.
ReplyDeleteMary, brothers can be silly for use. Mine was Sister, from my southernbelle mom, until a nun got upset that I hadn't earned the right to be called Sister. So I've been Sis ever since. Boy did the nun pay for her attitude after that, funny thing is Mom changed the woman's attitude after years of bunting heads. The nun always looked Mom up when she was in town.
DeleteThe Mom lesson I learned was no matter the title, everyone is first a flawed person. Never allow anyone to hold authority over your head THEY HAVE NOT earned. The lesson came from not my name change but how Mom approached the woman after the display of dishonor.
I am #21 this week if you would like to visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invitation. I did visit.
ReplyDeleteI had never even thought of that. I've had several nicknames over my life. I've often seen them as endearing.
ReplyDelete