Rebekah is a college student at Eastern who grew up at Covenant Fellowship and has a large network of extended family at church. Chances are that you know at least one person related to her! Rebekah lives with her parents in West Chester and attends the Dunham college community group.
Rebekah, tell us about your relationship with your immediate family.
My immediate family consists of my parents, myself, my sister, and two brothers. My grandmother also has lived with us since I was very young. I am the oldest of four children and have loved every minute of that. My family is close and we enjoy doing many things together. We especially love playing games and being outdoors. It has been so fun growing closer as we all get older and seeing how God is moving in each person’s life.
Do you guys have any interesting family traditions?
This might not count as interesting, but each Christmas Eve my family comes home from the service and we all are able to open one present, a new pair of pajamas that we all wear on Christmas morning (disclaimer: we do not get matching pajamas). Each Christmas, my parents have also picked out an ornament for each of us kids that is unique to who we are.
When did you become a member of Covenant?
I have been at Covenant Fellowship my whole life (since 2001). Many members of my extended family also attend Covenant, and it has been an opportunity that I am grateful for to grow up in the church with them. I became a member of Covenant in 2019.
Okay, fun question: what do you do when you wake up every day? What’s your routine?
My mornings do not look the same each day, but what I try to do each morning once I wake up is do a yoga practice, my devotions, check emails and social media, and eat breakfast. During the school year, this can also look a little different as I head to campus for class. The order of these events is not always the same, but the one thing that does happen each morning is I make sure to make my bed so that I am not tempted to crawl right back in.
What are some things you love to do in your free time?
I have found that I really enjoy being outside and gardening. I started a flower garden last year but this year have transitioned to growing vegetables and am excited to see how it flourishes! I also enjoy hiking and playing different sports outside with friends and family. I also really love to read and am always looking for a new book!
What is an area where you struggle spiritually, but have seen God’s grace to provide growth?
I have been wrestling with how to trust God. I am naturally a more anxious and fearful person, and I would find myself asking the question “How do I trust God?” Throughout my college years and battling health issues, I have cried tears as I’ve read my Bible, as I’ve prayed, and as I’ve listened to worship music, but I have found that this has only increased my realization of who God is and how good He is. God is faithful, and even when I’m not in control, He always is. I’ve had to repeat these truths to myself over and over again, but I have found that instead of asking, “How do I trust God?” I find that I am now saying, “I am learning how to trust God.”
What are you currently studying and learning in your devotional times?
Right now, I am going through the book GraceLaced: Discovering Timeless Truths Through Seasons of the Heart by Ruth Chou Simons. I read the verses listed and then look further at them in my study Bible. As I read through the short devotional and the verses, I have been writing down anything that stands out to me, along with any thoughts I have as I am reading. I have enjoyed this along with journaling my prayers. This has taught me to focus more on what I am praying and keeps me from getting easily distracted. Going through this book and taking smaller passages of Scripture have made me focus more on who God is. This has also slowed me down to delve deeper and to study Scripture instead of trying to get through a big passage and then realizing that I was not comprehending it deeply. Studying Scripture has really fixed my gaze on Him and I find that through it, God is strengthening my faith.
Can you share some Scriptures that have been particularly encouraging to you?
I love Lamentations 3:22-23 and Daniel 3:17-18. In the midst of the uncertainty of life, I am reminded of the promises of a new day and new mercies and that through it all, He is still good.
Lamentations 3:21–24: But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Daniel 3:17-18: If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.
