DEAR FATHER, MAY YOUR NAME BE GREAT

I got a call from my dad. He needed to see me. When I got to him, he said, “I called to tell you that I have another child outside”. I just ended up bursting into laughter. He tried to tell me that he was serious. The more he tried, the more I laughed. He eventually raised the matter he wanted to discuss with me. He then asked, “So you did not even believe me”. I laughed again. Dad showed us what a life of character was like! Some things were just unbelievable.

Years after this event, we were looking to get land for the ministry, a prospective seller looked at me and said, “If not that your dad is not the greedy type, it is not you that should be looking for land to buy now”. I understood what he meant!

At another time, a man confronted my dad and told him publicly that he was one of those opposing his application to lead an institution. He said, “If you lead, how will people like us eat?” My Dad responded, “You will eat, but you will not eat the one that will cause your stomach to run”.

Dear father, there is the blessing of a good name. The scripture is very clear on it:

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

Proverbs 22:1 NKJV

A good name will attract great riches.

A good name will open great doors.

A good name will outlast possessions.

A good name is like sweet ointment.

A good name carries generational weight.

A good name does not die.

You must not be the father known in the city as the philandering one. You must not be the one who is the kleptocrat. Do you know that there are names that you hear today and you automatically associate with evil?

One of the blessings of God to Abraham is to make his name great and then make him a blessing.

“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you, and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.”

Genesis 12:2 NKJV

If you will be a blessing, start with blessing your children with a great name because of your character, your competence, your consistency and your capacity!

Will your name bring life, or would it bring death? Jonathan’s name brought life for his son Mephiboseth.

“Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

II Samuel 9:1 NKJV

What will your name bring? Blessings or shame?

temilOluwa Ola, Eruwa