Twin Giraffes and Knowing Your Name

While on bus duty before school last week, I was introduced to a giraffe. A pair of them, actually, that were peering out from under the flap of a backpack of a kindergarten student bringing them to school for a visit.  I asked what their names were.

“Gerald the giraffe” was the quick response.

“What about the other one?” I asked.

“They are both Gerald, that way I won’t forget the other one’s name and don’t have to worry about which one is which.” 

Some more questions and giggles followed as we considered the laughable idea that everyone should have the same name for sake of efficiency and ease of remembering.

What a blessing that our children are not one indistinguishable being among the world’s 7.5 billion, but rather were uniquely and specifically “knit together in [their] mother’s womb” (Psalm 139). Along the journey of childhood, we strive for them to hear and understand that God claims them as he did the people of Israel: “I have called you by your name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Beyond marvelling at mountains and delighting over dandelions with children, it is a responsibility and a delight as parent and educator to share with a child who they are. The same God who made the earth, the skies, and giraffes – knows them personally, loves them specifically, never forgets about them, and claims them as his own. (This is one of the reasons that prayer requests for bandaged thumbs and sore knees are important and need to be understood as faith formation!)

Praise God for the unique opportunity to teach our children this truth at home, church, and LCES!

SJ