Dear Reader:

Rebecca….the English derivative of the Biblical name Rebekah means literally “secured.” For a person who has spent far too much of her life seeking “security” here I discover I have been “secured” the whole time.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Rebekah at the well and her subsequent marriage to Isaac, son of Abraham. Abraham sent several servants and ten camels to Nahor, his land of birth, to find a wife for his son Isaac. It played out like this:

It was getting towards evening when he came to the town of Nahor.

There was a well outside the town, and Abraham’s servant made his camels kneel there, beside the well.

Then he prayed, “God of my master Abraham, be kind to my master today! Help me find a wife for his son Isaac. Look, the daughters of the townspeople are coming to get water. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, ‘Please, drink, and I will water your camels too,’ then I will know that she is the one you have chosen.”

Before he had even finished praying, Rebekah came out to the well with a large clay jar on her shoulder. She was very beautiful.

Rebekah went down to the spring and filled her jar with water.

Abraham’s servant hurried to meet her. He said to her, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

“Drink, my lord,” Rebekah said, and quickly she lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

And then she said, “I will draw water for your camels too.” So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. Abraham’s servant watched her without saying a word.

Was this the one God had chosen to be Isaac’s wife?

(Resource:Children’s Bible Stories)

Rebecca was indeed the chosen one by God and returned with Abraham’s servants to become the wife of Isaac and a big “root” in the lineage of the Christian faith.

Lately I have felt more like Rebecca than ever….i have a sprinkler system set up to keep most of the garden flowers/plants watered but every day I have to water the plants on the porch and the front and side yards….especially the hanging baskets….so I leave water containers along every section of the yard.

Most of them are in the form of empty gallon milk containers….and like Rebecca I secure them, not balanced on my shoulders, but balanced between my two hands and arms. It is a daily chore unless we have rain.

I love looking at Rebekah garden statues, water fountains, etc. Perhaps one day I will have one in my garden.

Names do matter….what others call us and what we call ourselves matter. Most of us, throughout our life span, will go by many different names….nicknames (affectionate and some not) “Daddy” or “Mommy” or “Aunt” or “Uncle’ ….perhaps we are someone’s “Schmoopie” or grandchildren’s “Boo.”

Jesus’ name means “Savior.” It pretty much sums it up doesn’t it….”The rulers of this world have often called themselves great, conquerors, dictators, bold, magnificent, and the like. The Son of God is content to call Himself Savior. Those seeking salvation may draw near to the Father with boldness, and have access with confidence through Christ. It is His role and His delight to show mercy. “For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him” (John 3:17)

…”The name “Jesus” has eased our wearied consciences and given rest to our heavy hearts. The Song of Solomon describes the experience of many, when it says, “Your name is oil poured forth” (Song of Solomon 1:3 . Happy is the person who trusts not merely in vague notions of God’s mercy and goodness, but in “Jesus.””

Adapted from The Gospel of Matthew by J.C. Ryle (Chapter 1).

…A name many of us have chosen to add to our identities is the name “Christian.” We also have  a name older than those, sweeter than the ones croomed to us at bedtime, deeper than the ones that cut us to the quick. That matters more and tells the truth of us better than any other. It’s the name God gave us in the womb, and every morning since: Beloved. Let’s try to live up to that beautiful name. (All I Really Want-Q. Cadwell)

So until tomorrow…God, the name you gave me is the only one that really matters. It would be hard to top “Beloved”  but let me, a mere mortal, try: “Yours.”

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*I sent Rutledge and Eva Cate a photo of their “Lollipop seeds plant and lo and behold…a lollipop stick is starting to grow!” They must continue to do Kind Deeds so the Lollipop Seeds will keep growing into one big lollipop by Easter.