What's in a name?

There's a Chinese saying, "Fear not, born to a bad life; fear, of bestowing the wrong name." Partially, it's an old wives tale but in a way, it's also true. A name, whether you like it or not, defines you. It's a label that's stuck with you from the day you are born to the day you can legally change it to something else.

We visited a friend today in San Francisco who just had their first daughter. Her name:

Olivia - peace (as in olive branch, a sign of peace)

Neriya - "God is my light." (Hebrew origin)

榮欣 - 光榮, 歡欣 (glory, joy)

Without knowing it, Little Olivia is already blessed to be the light and salt of the earth, to be a peacemaker and a bearer of God's joy and glory. How meaningful... how precious. I wonder how long it took them to come up with this name?

And how long will it take for us to come up with a name for our fellowship?

Mood: reflective