The Chronicles of Biscuit - Name Change

The Chronicles of Biscuit - Stories about our youngest son, Tyler, whose nickname is Biscuit.

Biscuit came to me Monday afternoon and said he needed to talk to me privately - in my bedroom.  We headed to the bedroom and sat down together on the big bed.  I asked Biscuit what was going on.  Biscuit began his little speech:

"Mom, I've been reading a book called, "How to Be Cool in the 3rd Grade".  I don't really like the name Tyler, and I was thinking that for school, I could be called by my first initial and middle initial, 'T.J.'.  The boy in the book is named Robbie, but he thought that Rob would sound cooler.  What do you think?  Is it okay?"

Well, not being sure of how to answer Biscuit exactly, I told him he would have to talk to his daddy, but that we picked the name Tyler because we really liked it.  I also told him that his daddy didn't want their names to be shortened - like to Ty - so I didn't think he would like this idea, either, but he could ask.  On the plus side, it also got me off the hook :).  I wasn't too thrilled about Biscuit reading a book that told how to be cool in 3rd grade was by changing your name, but I hadn't seen the book, so couldn't really critique it right then. (Of course, not every child will take things as literal as Biscuit does, either!)

My husband got home later and Biscuit told him he needed to talk to him in our room.  They headed that direction, and I followed.  I didn't want to miss the interaction or my husband's face as Biscuit told him his reasoning!

Well, I wasn't disappointed.  I sat behind Biscuit, so could smile/giggle all I wanted while watching my husband try to keep a straight face.  He listened to Biscuit, but then told him that we had prayed about his name before he was born.  We chose his name because we liked it.  It was special because it was given to him.  "It was?", Biscuit asked.

I told Biscuit that he was the coolest 3rd grade boy I knew and that he didn't need to change his name or act any certain way to be cool.  Biscuit's dad also told him those types of things.  Biscuit seemed please...and content....to be Tyler after that, and hasn't mentioned changing his name any more since that day.

I'm sure that the book Biscuit was reading was just written in fun, but the thought that Biscuit took it so seriously is kind of scary to me.  There are all kinds of "advice" books out there, and though some of them - maybe a lot of them - may have good advice, a lot of them may not.

Who cares if Biscuit is cool?  Maybe he does, to a certain extent, but I certainly don't.  Being cool isn't what matters to God.  Being holy is what matters to God.  The only name change He cares about is the name change from sinner to saved!  From non-believer to believer.  Your new name of Christian:  That's the name change that matters.  The only one that really matters.

Have you changed your name?