I have called you by name...

You are mine. That's what the Father tells us in our baptisms. Today, I was struck by all of the names. Starting yesterday, we find these people in the story: Zachariah, Elizabeth, John, Elijah, Gabriel, David, Joseph, Mary, Jesus, Jacob, Abraham, Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, Judah, Moses, Simeon, Anna, Phanuel, and Asher. There is a story behind each of those names. My name is Matthew Ronald. Matthew means "a gift from God". I was born on Mother's Day weekend and my mom nearly bled to death after having me. I have pondered the selection of my name often. Ronnie Dean was a friend of my dad's who survived Vietnam and then was killed in a snowmobile accident. Our children are Adeline Lydia and Malachi Walter. Adeline was my grandmother who died before I was born. Lydia was Heidi's great-grandmother who died the year before Adi was born. The name Lydia also appears in Acts 16, a strong woman of faith. Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and Wally was Heidi's uncle who...you guessed it, survived Vietnam and then was killed by a drunk driver. Names are important. Everyone has a story. Last night, I met Bella, who will be starting Confirmation this fall. Another little Bella will be baptized on Sunday. I get to meet her tomorrow morning. These two girls will have very different stories and I am honored to be a part of them both.