Who I Am

Tell me why it is

That whenever we are asked

Who we are

We give a name.

We treat to a name

As though it’s a summary

Hence good name and bad name

That’s the game.

So that if my name

Just happens to be you know who

Then I take on his importance,

Is that your view?

If he is a criminal

Then I am just as bad

But if he is important

I would be a good lad.

Does a name make a person?

Does a name make a man?

Is a name all one is?

Is that God’s plan?

There are some who feel

All Russell’s are family

But even if that’s so

Does it shape my destiny?

The correct response

To who you are

Cannot be a name,

That is wrong by far.

Don’t get me wrong

One’s name is key,

Certainly it’s important

Regarding one’s identity.

I am more than a name

Or a mere statistic,

I am a family member

With certain characteristics.

  

I am unique, yes

There’s not another me,

Not in the past or present

Or in the future will be.

My name doesn’t make me

I impact my name

And whether I am good or bad

I am to blame.

I could be a bad Russell

While the others are good,

Who a person is

Is even more than just blood

So that neither name nor blood

Determines who I am,

I could be a good person

From a very notorious clan.

Examine my conduct

Before me you criticize,

Because of my name

You should not me despise.

Though it may appear

The Russell’s is a good name

A couple years from now

It might not be the same.

For the good legacy left

May not be carried on,

As of the generations now

None maybe around: no not one.

It’s critical therefore

That we know who we are

Not simply by name

But more than that by far.

For who we really are

We will more than likely pass on

For generations to emulate

Long after we have gone.

We are a family,

A creed and a clan

And raising godly seed

That’s the Creator’s plan.

Who am I?

I am a child of God,

I am more than a name,

Time to spread that abroad.

Stewart Russell © January 2018