A Good Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.  Proverbs 22:1

As we've drawn closer to our move to Huntsville, I've had to make the customary phone calls out there to get things arranged. With housing, storage rental, truck rental, insurance, etc., I've had many conversations with people on that end. One of the things that has impressed me is the response I get when I tell them who I will be working for. When asked who my employer will be, and I tell them Westminster Christian Academy, I am met with everything from a sudden increase in interest in my business to a reduction of fees for one thing or another. One thing is clear - the school has a good reputation. I'm happy to be associated with that kind of organization.

It reminded me of a time several years ago when Adriana and I were in the early years of our marriage. We were visiting my parents for the Christmas season, and we needed to pick up a few more gifts. We went to a store in a nearby town, picked out what we needed, and proceeded to the check out lane. I didn't have any cash, so I pulled out my check book to write a check. Of course, it was an out-of-town check, and the lady clerk told me they couldn't accept it. There was a manager nearby who heard the comment and came over. She took a look at the check, saw my name, and asked, "Are you Larry's boy?" I said I was, and she promptly informed the clerk to accept the check. That was that. My check was accepted based on the name of my father.

The importance of a good name. Rooted in integtrity, a name carries with it associations, good or bad. Those associations cannot be manufactured, but are rooted in whatever conduct one most consistently evidences. It's hard to come by. Even harder to rebuild. And it's something to be pursued diligently.