What’s in a name? The Bible says that God knows our name. Do you find that comforting? I sure do!
When I was growing up with an unusual name, I found that people had trouble spelling it and pronouncing it. I used to dread the first day of school, wondering just how this new teacher would butcher the pronunciation of my name.
One time in particular really stands out to me. It was 6th grade. I already had a complex about my name because almost everyone got it wrong, and this teacher was no different. He kept calling me Janine. I have a cousin named Janine and have no problem with her having that name, but don’t call me Janine! That’s not my name!!
As a young girl, I got so tired of being called Janine, among other things. It was so very rare that anyone would say Janan the correct way. Juh-Nan. I absolutely despised being called Jan too! Mostly I was called Jan-in (like the a in ran) and sometimes Jan-Ann. Also NOT my name!!