What does Nicholas mean ?
I read once that God ordains people’s names before they were born. My name is nothing special. But at a point in my life it helped motivate me to new heights. I was trying to do the best I could at school. I always felt out . Worthless. Like someone people didn’t want around. If it came time to chose members of a soccer team at school , the captains never chose me. I was the last to be chosen. As always. What did that make me feel like ? Like someone who wasn’t approved of. I didn’t have anything special to offer. No friends were allowed to come to my house after school. We were lonely. My parents couldn’t afford a soccer kit. A tennis racket , cricket bat.. uniforms . We were dirt poor.
So what influence did my name have on me ? I once asked me what does my name mean ? I told her that I had noticed that some children at school had names that made sense. There was one guy and his name was Victor. So I asked her what is Victor ? She told me it meant someone that wins. And I asked her what does my name mean ? And she said ” Winner , Winner ! ” … and that was it… I decided that it was my job to win. And even if I couldn’t I would at least try to do my best. And that made all the difference. Even when I was laughed at because of my pronounciation or lack of knowledge. I once confronted a ‘ clever boy ‘ in school . I told him that he thinks he’s clever but that some day I’d prove that I am more clever than he is. I think that’s pathetic now looking back on the incident. But I did one day write a Mass Energy Balance for the COREX process. No one else could at the time. So I guess I proved my point to myself at least.
So Nicholas . One who wins. But more precisely , someone that wins people. And that’s where my post tonight leads to. 
I was told that a certain rich fellow whom I had offended a year ago finally admitted to his close friend that I know what I am talking about when it comes to city management. I don’t want to read too much into it but at least he likes me now. A year ago.. he couldn’t stand me.
So bless him for the good news. I won him over.
Watch what you call someone. Watch what name you allow people to call you by. Try to see something good in your name. And for heaven sake , if you have been given a dud name… find one you like and go have it changed. It can affect your short life here on earth. Or better yet. Be baptised into the name of Jesus , the name above all names. Become His disciple.