In Biblical times Jesus and his compatriots had an interesting tradition of renaming a person at a pivotal point in their life’s journey. I was reminded of this again recently when I came upon the story of Jesus giving the Zebedee brothers a new moniker. James and John, humble fisherman by all accounts, suddenly become Sons of Thunder.
(Does that not just sound like something a game show announcer should bellow?)
And it got me thinking, if Jesus renamed my boys, what on earth would it be?
Sons of Blunder?
Sons Asunder?
As my boys get older (they’re 4, 6, and 8 now) I wonder more and more about the men I’m shaping them to be. I see their individual weaknesses in personality and I wonder how that will translate into fatherhood, how it will affect their marriage, or their careers.
I worry that something I’m doing now will negatively affect my children in their future.
And you want to know the cold, hard truth? I’m right. My worries and fears are planted firmly in reality; Some part of my parenting is screwing them up in some small way or another.
But it’s most likely going to be okay anyway.
There’s a tangible slice of peace and grace in accepting the fact that your sons were born to imperfect mothers. In fact, there’s never been a son born to a perfect mother – not even Jesus.
James, John, Peter, Jesus – all of their mothers made mistakes in their mothering. And 3/4 of them raised imperfect sons.
My boys will fail in their journey’s. Multiple times. And sometimes I might be tangled in the root of their problem or past. So I might as well start practicing grace now – toward them and toward myself.
Thankfully, Jesus didn’t name people after their weaknesses. If Simon (Peter) can become “Rock” and an uneducated fisherman can become “the one whom Jesus loved” as well as one of the founding members of the New Testament rock band “Sons of Thunder”, then maybe there’s hope for my boys yet. And for me.
Okay, on a lighter note – if Jesus renamed your sons right now, what would it be?
-Jessica of Bohemian Bowmans
Lev… It’s Hebrew and it means heart…
Sarah Scott´s last [type] ..I Read Books To My Children That Make Them Cry…
I am still 100% pleased with my oldest son’s name.
Theodore – gift from God. I remind myself (especially when he’s testing me), that he is a gift from God and I should treat him accordingly.
Gosh! I was just thinking about the nicknames that Jesus gave his friends as I’m reading through the gospels. I also wondered about the woman referred to as “The Other Mary.” It’s great to be mentioned in the Good Book, but, Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the mother of James, Mary of Magdala, and The Other Mary! I can’t wait to meet her. I wish Jesus had given her a nickname too.
I am still certain Jesus named one of my sons in the first place. We had a family boy name picked out, but when we found out there were two boys we were at a loss. After tossing names back and forth forever, my husband suggested “Elias.” Where he got it, even he doesn’t know. Initially, I wasn’t for or against the name, but day by day it grew on me. Then I looked up its meaning and it meant “The Lord is My God.” Well played, Jesus
HeatherB´s last [type] ..Game Postponed but fun had by all
Love this post! We have always prayed over our boys names and have always felt that God gave each of their names for specific reasons. Each one of their names seems to fit them so clearly right now, and as they grow I see them maturing in the meanings of their names. For example, one of my boys names means, spirited and broad shouldered. First of all, I had no idea he would be born my biggest baby with huge broad shoulders– in fact when he came out one of the nurses declared him a linebacker. He is a tank! Anyway, he is also VERY spirited and I can already see how God is maturing that quality in him as he grows. My oldest has a few meanings to his name, one being a loyal friend, which he SO is! The other is defender of men and warrior , which also happens to be the meaning of another of our sons. Its not a councidence that these two brothers are SO much alike! For a while I thought what were we thinking giving them “those” kinds of names? They are SO strong willed!! But God has showed me that he has a plan in all things, and as I see my oldest growing, and his interests growing– I can clearly see him growing into a Christ like version of his name. I can’t wait to see my boys as young men. And pretty much, the four of them together are going to be a force (well, they already are really) boys of thunder? Definitely already that, every morning they run down the stairs for breakfast. Lol
On a very particularly bad day in a fit of reciprocal anger, to my shame I called one of our sons ‘a son of a b..ch’ He calmly replied “You should know.” (sigh)
A memory I am not proud of, but the son I am proud of.
If Jesus renamed our sons now : maybe – Honest Seeker, Brave Protector, Joyful Skeptic, Tenacious Friend
I love the fact that you point out that Jesus did not rename people after their weaknesses. I heard a pastor say once that Jesus renamed people after the potential He knew they had! So I would rename my 2 sons “Men After God’s Heart” like David who was far from perfect yet diligent in his seeking of the Lord, because it is my prayer that it’s whom they have the potential to become.