They are nameless, yet we talk with them. Many of them help us daily, but we never really notice them. Often, we see them repeatedly, but few could recall the simplest, but most significant feature about them ... their name.
Who are they? The clerk at WalMart. The waitress at the restaurant. The Batista at Starbucks. The Drive-thru person at McDonalds. But they all have two things in common. They are all real people - and they all wear name tags.
Do you know their name? Have you ever really noticed them?
We get so busy and wrapped up in our own worlds - with our own agendas that we seldom notice these people. In our minds, they really aren't people - they are dispensers of change, people whom we give our money to and who give us our goods.
So this week - let's notice them. See them as real people. Men and women with families, hurts and hope.
Something small - but so very big.
Call them by name.
Most all of them have on a name tag. Take a moment. See their name and thank them - by name - before you leave.
Every time. All week.
Call them by name.
Let them know you see them as real people. Look into their eyes - call their name and thank them .... wish them a Happy New Year.
Something so simple. Yet it reminds us there are real people all around us - real people with names - with hurts - with hopes. Real people whom Jesus loves.
Call them by name.
My children, I, the Lord, created you and formed you, don't be afraid. I have rescued you. I have called you by name; now you belong to me. Isaiah 43:1 para
I think this is a great suggestion. I always try to do this - my family thinks I am nuts - but I know what it feels like to be nameless. I have done some of their jobs, waited tables, worked retail, etc. and it means a lot to be called by name. I also give my students a tough time about calling me Miss (one of my biggest pet peeves) because they are reducing me in some way. I have a name - one that my parents gave me and one that I work hard to keep (marriage is work) - and I expect to be called by it. Thank you for the suggestion and I hope that others will take the "call them by name" challenge.
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