Swamp Donkeys and Flat-Nosed Peacocks
“Well that’s obviously a flat-nosed peacock engine pulling two double barrel rail cars.”
My injection of Dad humor was met with groans from the backseat as we sat at the railroad crossing. You see, our oldest son Levi is a train fanatic. He’s more than a fan; he is a student of the big iron that lumbers down the track and can spout off names, stats, and probably the engineers IQ that is piloting down the countryside. Much of his free time as a 12-year old is spent inspecting every square inch of trains the history that produced them. His father can’t compete with the immense volume of train knowledge that he has developed.
With all of his expertise I can’t help but feel…dumb. In order to regain some of my Dad wisdom I try to sound important by rattling off names that are only real in my imagination. If you can’t beat them join them I say! So while my new names of old trains might sound impressive or even real to another uneducated train person it’s really just smoke and mirrors. And I’m not the only one! When Levi sees a train and texts my Dad he fires back, right on que with a Grandpa Beck train name. “Is that a CWG 72/56 Armored Platypus Engine?” to which there are even more groans and sighs. He can’t get away from the ribbing and light-hearted harassment. Some people just don’t know that trains have a specific real name and purpose!
The new-naming has spread to other things as well. We saw a raccoon on the way to school the other morning to which Sam blurted out “There’s a trash panda!”. Zebras are known as “prison ponies”. A moose is a rubber-nosed swamp donkey. The silliness is endless for a 10 and 12 year old; and perhaps a 44-year old as well! The names are funny but they aren’t the real names.
The point is that there are many, many names for things and people that aren’t entirely accurate or truthful. They can be silly and great a belly-laugh. Many times they are hurtful and create a heartache. Be careful of what you name someone else! All of us are one of a kind, never to be replicated again here on earth. So our name is more than a flag we fly or political party. It’s more than our looks, our family history, or our occupation. Our name means something! Not just because it’s on a drivers license or ID but because God knows it and has fixed it to your heart and your life’s purpose. There’s an authenticity to that and a truthful trust that our life matters. Our life isn’t defined by the names slung by moody neighbors or the wrath of a bitter bystander in a split second happening.
Levi’s train-spotting was developed over time with a lot of discernment of what made each train unique. He’s even ventured into the cold and rain just to catch a glimpse of his favorite engines. My train naming took half a second of thinking of something clever. Which person are you going to believe when it comes to train knowledge? Looking at yourself or others in an accurate light takes time too. Be careful what you believe about yourself and what we push on others! There’s a name on you and me. We aren’t trash pandas, prison ponies or anything else thank goodness. We are children of God. And that’s the name we should embrace.
