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A Devoted Life: Rebecca Edition

I met Rebecca when I was only about ten years old. She worked in a children’s ministry with my older brother, and I only saw her once or twice over the next few years. I eventually moved, but as I would only find out later, so did she. So instead of hundreds of miles apart as we both thought, we were living in the same town! Although we didn’t realize it until just a few months ago, we have connected in a way I never could have imagined possible. 6 months ago I hadn’t thought twice about her, and now I consider her a big sister.

She has a heart so full of love for people, strangers or friends, it makes no difference. Christ’s love radiates from her life, and I have seen her give sacrificially time and time again. She is a wonderful girl, and I love her very much!

What is your greatest concern for girls today—what do you think they “don’t get”?

That they are truly precious. Hold on to your innocence. No need to rush to grow up. Enjoy being innocent and carefree. It’s beautiful and endearing. Every girl deserves a man who will wait for them and respect them. They don’t have to “give themselves away” to find love and acceptance.

What are you currently studying in your times with the Lord?

Purity of heart, mind and actions.

What is one aspect of God’s character you’ve learned about this past year?

Love. A few years ago God told me that he put me here on earth to love people. No matter what my physical job was my spiritual one was to love. This past year and even more so in recent months, He’s been teaching me what genuine love truly looks like.

We know you don’t have much spare time, but what is one extracurricular activity that you make time for at this stage of life?

People! God made so many wonderful people and brought them into my life that if anything I want to spend what time I can with them. It really doesn’t matter what the activity is.

What in your opinion, is the most urgent challenge that Evangelical Christian women face today?

Married women: Raising Godly children. A lot of women work. I’m not here to argue if they are right or wrong for doing so. I am here to say a lot of women have pressures of raising Godly children while balancing work, home, school etc. and I see well meaning parents who forget to do that at home and end up depending on the church for spiritual leadership and guidance for their kids.

Single and Young women: peer pressure. I see it in churches and all around me. Striving to be Christ like yet accepted by peers at the same time. I see a great decline in the moral make up of our Christian singles and young people even in the churches!

What are your opinions on modesty?

I think we could all establish rules of lengths etc. and probably all come up with a different answer. I’d like to take a slightly different approach….go classy and feminine! God didn’t intend for us to flaunt ourselves or do things that would distract and lead men astray. The Bible talks about the Proverbs 31 woman being well dressed! I think a classy dresser can add to her appearance without decreasing her value and respect of others.

Starting from the very beginning: where did you grow up and how would you describe your family and childhood years?

I don’t have a typical family…My Mom died when I was 5 months old. I was the baby of 4 kids. Dad remarried and they ended up having 5 more kids together! So all in all I have 8 siblings whom I love dearly! Growing up was a challenge and very difficult for me. Our family went through a lot of rough times with unemployment and for me personally a lot of spiritual depression and growth in losing my Mom. But God is ever faithful and brought us through over and over again. I think if anything I’d say though challenging it was huge in building my faith in Christ! (Editor’s Note: Rebecca has written her mom’s story earlier this month on her own blog, please go check it out)

We would love to hear your conversion story—when and how did God reveal Jesus Christ to you?

When I was between 5 and 6 the Lord really started tugging on my heart with this whole salvation thing I kept hearing about at church. I knew there was something to it, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. I went to my parents quite a few times asking them what it meant and then one day….it hit me! It was one month before I turned 7, April 22, 1988.

You probably know me as:

Rebecca, Becca or Bec

I was born in:

Jacksonville, FL

The best “spiritual” book I’ve ever read (besides the Bible) is:

“Beautiful In God’s Eyes” ~Elizabeth George

Right now I am reading:

Law books! L In my spare time which is a page here and there….”The Shack”, although I have been in the first chapter for 2 months and haven’t really paid attention. J

The movie I’ve watched more times than any other:

Pride & Prejudice (the A&E version)

The music you’re most likely to find me listening to:

Christian or Country (Editor’s note: I have personally seen her dancing in the kitchen to Michael Buble’ J )

My favorite food: Funny thing is…I actually don’t have one!

In the morning I drink: A variety. I’ve been known to have Orange Juice, Coffee, water and a V8 on my desk all at the same time.

If I have free time, you’ll most likely find me: With People!

My favorite place in the world: Quiet places with water. Mountain brooks, a little lake buried in the woods, a private beach or a thoughtful spot along the river bank. There is something very calming in water and quietness.

A Bible verse I return to often:

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” ~Hebrews 12:1-2

Woman I most want to be like:

I’ve seen a lot of Godly women come in and out of my life. I really can’t just pick one and say her…but what I can say is I’ve examined the traits of these women and recognize things I’d like to do or change in my life because of their example.

What is a “typical” day like for you?

Wake up at 6:30, out the door by 7:30 (hopefully) sit in traffic for an hour…sometimes longer, work, get off at 5:30 and either drive home or go to school.

I know that you work extremely hard. What are some of your favorite ways to rest and relax?

Declare a “home night” where I just sit on my couch and “de-stress” from my week. In the winter it’s in front of a fire over a cup of hot tea. Sometimes it’s a trip to the salon for a pedicure and manicure or some days it’s playing with children.

3 comments November 18, 2008

Weep With Them That Weep

I promised myself that when I finally got back to blogging I would write a good, happy article. But I’ll just be honest with you, life is not always happy. Sometimes it is so far from happy I am at a loss for words.

In just a week I’ve received news of one friend’s heartbreak over the loss of a husband, news of another friend’s consequence to a bad decision, and then last night heard news of one of the worst things that can ever happen to a girl. I’m laying it out for you because, people, life is bad sometimes. Maybe your life is good, but life can just plain stink for others.

Last night I just crumbled, because I was so overwhelmed at the sorrow and suffering. It is one thing to hear about it when it happens to someone else. But these are my friends! These are people in my heart, who I care about and would do anything to protect and help. All I could do was cry to my Heavenly Father. I cried out with a “why God?!” Why does life have to be so bad for some? Why does this hurt and sorrow exist? I know ultimately it exists because of Adam’s choice, sin.

I think in times like these there are no answers. There are no magic formulas to make it all better. There are no perfect words to say. My only choice is to:

”Weep with them that weep.”

The rest of the verse is “Rejoice with them that do rejoice.” So right now that means I can rejoice that God knows all that’s going on. I can rejoice that each life is precious. I can rejoice that my friend’s life was spared. I can rejoice that one day, in Heaven, all will be made whole and beautiful again.

Weep {v.} – to weep for (someone or something); mourn with tears or other expression of sorrow

Rejoice {v.} – to be glad; take delight

1 comment October 20, 2008

Be Brave

The other night I was talking to my stand-in big sis and confidant. We talked about the ups and downs of life, progress, and the general rollercoaster my life has been these past weeks. She told me about this song, and I found it extremely perfect. My brother is always telling me “keep your chin up.” I love them both so much, thank you all for your prayers and support.