What’s your name?

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Larry Fowler
  • 56th Fighter Wing Chapel
This question sounds rather innocuous, yet it can be said that your name is your most valuable possession, for without a good name you cannot be trusted. And without trust your life will become extremely difficult. Consider the following observations.

A child is born and given a name. The way that child lives and conducts himself lends character qualities to his name.

Names can suffer unrecoverable damage within societies and cultures. Names such as Judas, Adolph and Benedict, have become almost unconscionable names to give a child in American society because of the actions of the previous owners of those names. Iscariot, Hitler and Arnold all made their perfectly good names nearly die out in western society because of the deplorable ways in which they lived their lives.
What about your name? What does the mention of your name elicit from your peers, co-workers and supervision? Is your name synonymous with integrity, service and excellence? If not, perhaps you have some work to do and a goal to reach.

There is a proverb says that says, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."

My hope and prayer is that your name and life would reflect the very highest values and aspirations of our country. Keep striving for excellence.

Thanks for your service and sacrifice.