Music Notes: August 17, 2025

Chad’s Blog

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” From Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

What’s in a name? Shakespeare asked this in “Romeo and Juliet.” But was his thematic implication correct—that there is so much more to a person than what they are called? I tend to think so, but there are so many moments when names are such precarious things that it makes me wonder…

Do you ever notice that it seems like somebody’s name just fits them perfectly, and most any other name just wouldn’t do? When we were kids, I recall playing a fun game involving assigning somebody ANOTHER name according to what they looked like. It was actually kind of fun because it was usually so humorously accurate! We would say things like “He was born a Brian, but he also looks like a Harold.” or “You were born a Sarah, but really look like a Liz!”

As I study and listen to the many beautiful and diverse names in our “women of the Bible” series, I find that most all of them have a deeper meaning and/or historical significance. If we don’t address these in Sunday worship, I encourage you to research further on your own.

My name was supposed to be Kyle. I am still not sure how or why my parents settled on Chad, but they obviously did. Mine is a name that seems to just INVITE questions, comments, and silliness. Who can forget the hanging chads of the 2000 presidential election? There is, of course, the question “Is this short for Chadwick?” It is not. In addition, it would take days to count the number of variations and nicknames folks have assigned to me over the years. I suppose I could be called worse…like late for dinner!

Indeed, what is in a name? Please, please….. call me anything, but just don’t call me late to a delicious church potluck or picnic!