A Life Well-Lived, Part 25; What's in a Name?

 ...Thinking back on the day Timothy was born, and how hard it was to pick out his name… It would take too long to tell how many names we entertained and crossed off the list!

“Timothy” is a Greek word meaning "honoring God," or “A Christian.” And then, Timothy’s middle name is “Christian.” So, basically, he was named “Christian Christian!”

The year after Timothy’s homegoing, in August of 2022, some dear friends, Peter and Shantel Harlin named their baby boy ‘Lochlan Timothy,’ in Timothy’s honor.

Two months later, half-way around the world in Taiwan, another dear friend, Rebeccah Lin (and her husband Jordan) named their little boy ‘Logan Timothy,’ in honor of “our boy” Timothy.

Lochlan means “land of lakes” and Logan means “little hollow.” Both names describe a place of peace and beauty like the “land of rest” we long for.

So “Unca Tim” (as the grands call him) has representatives on both sides of the globe - and they are so adorable!  He would be crazy over these two little guys!

My prayer for them on Timothy's birthday is not so much that they live up to their namesake and his legacy, but that they embrace the meaning of his name (Christian Christian!) and live for an audience of One - For the honor and glory of God.

"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1

My Uncle Tommy Greene wrote a tribute for Timothy around the time these two little boys were born.

TIMOTHY’S SONG

by Uncle Tommy

He was a doer, a thinker, as a kid sometimes a stinker

but always did show his love for family.

There wasn’t much he wouldn’t try, yet seemed most drawn to see the sky -

was one for climbing highest in the tree.

As a toddler became God’s soldier, as he grew becoming bolder

as everyone around was soon to see.

With a servant’s heart like Jesus, was always one to try and please us.

His folks aptly named him … Timothy.

Through his life he was a giver, never tried, always delivered

dying to self - his heart held no pride.

Helped the poorest of the poor, spread God’s Word from shore to shore

Satan himself had nowhere left to hide.

Fix a house, dig a well, rarely did he sit a spell.

God’s calling kept him working tirelessly.

One of a kind, they broke the mold; had integrity- all these things told

of this young man, aptly named Timothy.

(chorus)

He said, give me wings Lord, let me fly, I long to reach up and touch Your sky

I’ve seen Your beauty from above, I’ll share this world, made by Your love

I’ll fly high, as the eagle soars, spreading Your Word, as the lion roars

And all shall see: I found my why. Thank you for my wings, Lord … you let me fly.

With God’s blessing, Timothy bought his first plane-

with his second, was called to teach and train.

Praying those taught to fly would know the Highest in the sky,

the Son of Man, Jesus, known by he.

Like a disciple chosen long ago,

who heard Jesus say, "It’s time to go.

Pick up your cross and follow Me.”

Called too was he, this young man … aptly named Timothy.

(chorus)

He said, give me wings Lord, let me fly, I long to reach up and touch Your sky.

I’ve seen Your beauty from above, I’ll share this world, I’ll share Your love.

Let me fly high, as the eagle soars, I’ll spread Your Word, as the lion roars.

Then all shall know: I found my why. Oh thank you Lord … you let me fly!

God gave him wings and he did fly. Flew to be with Jesus … only God knows why.

Now from above, he shall always be; the beauty of God’s kingdom, he shall always see.

He turned soil and planted seed; fruit from his labor of love for Jesus, for years shall be

 Sown by this young man … aptly named Timothy.

These words given me … for our beloved Timothy

2022 - Tommy Greene