Slackers. What do you think?
Well, that’s the name of the neighborhood skateboarding team my son, Justin, is a part of. The name drives me crazy.
A few weeks ago, Justin and his buddy wanted to wear these t-shirts for “twin day” at school. I threw a fit. I didn’t want people to think I endorse this dumb name. Also I didn’t want him to be made fun of. What would teachers and parents think? Would his friends nickname him —Slacker?
For a year now, Justin and I go around and around about this name. I’ve told Justin to come up with a new team name. He argues, “It’s just a name Mom. It doesn’t mean anything.”
To prove my point, I resorted to the dictionary. Slacker means “one who shirks.” Shirks means “to neglect or evade.” That wasn’t what I wanted. Desperate, I read my thesaurus.
Slacker – avoider, bum, deadbeat, goldbrick, good-for-nothing, goof-off, idler, loafer, quitter, slouch.
Perfect! I called Justin into my office and read the dictionary meaning to him. Then I had him read the thesaurus out loud. He understood. Finally.
That night, he wrote down new team names. He asked his dad and I for ideas. He knew “slackers” wasn’t his identity. I was thrilled. I told him I’d help pay for a new team logo, shirts, ect.
The next day, I let him wear t-shirt to school anyway. He didn’t want to have to wear his uniform, so he opted for the twins apparel. He said nobody commented about his shirt. I still wonder.
This experience helped me realize a couple things. First, my pride is huge. I couldn’t believe how embarrassed and ashamed I felt knowing he wore this shirt to school. I say I don’t care what others think. Obviously—I do. Second, I wear a slackers t-shirt, it’s wrapped around my heart. I don’t use that word, but I say I’m lazy. I call myself a procrastinator.
I’ve been labeling myself for most of my life. Some labels I’ve let go of. Some I haven’t. My life coach recently corrected me for calling myself “lazy.”
God’s Word is renewing my mind. Slowly. I’m believing I will one day fully embrace the truth of who I am. Not a slacker. But a daughter of the Most High God covered in the righteousness of Christ.
***What logo are you secretly wearing?***
(c) 2005 Tiffany Stuart
You are exactly right. The names we use have significant meaning. It’s sad that some of the worst names we ever hear are ones we call ourselves.
I’m curious, what is a life coach?