Little Rebecca at God's Precious Well

Rebecca stood at the shore, fists clenched, ready to make a statement. She sprinted purposefully ahead, eager to arrive in time for her wish.

She was twelve going on thirty, her ponytail blowing with its youthful frolic just to the side of her sweet, determined expression filled her face. The sun was bidding its final farewell, at least for this last day of her family vacation.

This little girl had a wonderful week of playing in the sand. She threw her developing little body into the crashing waves, a tiny swimming dolphin, as she whisked herself into the rhythm of the ocean. Earlier in the week, the mother watched her little girl from under the umbrella in awe of the dance unwinding before her. She floated atop the wave crest, eloquent as a ballerina. Then, in the next minute, she flailed with her childlike giggle.

She was nearing the age of a young woman. It was obvious in the ebb and flow of the ocean’s waves as they gently and forcefully moved her back to the safety of the shore.

Rebecca was an adventurous little soul with a loving and serving heart. Similar to others her age, she longed to create a meaningful impact. She wanted to pause life but yearned for independence. The sweet girl resembled a young lioness ready for solo exploration.

She was an active little thing and happy, mostly. But she had a silent battle of her own, and no one could understand her quiet fears completely. Because of circumstances out of her control, she was a concerned little girl. Her mind attempted to understand things beyond her emotional age. The battle within her was between the whys and why nots. She needed to handle things alone, and in time she figures her path. She put her little hands over her ears and shout la, la, la, la, la, meaning, I can do it, give me a minute, I will get it, or stop, I don’t want to hear that.

Since she was eight, she tried to understand why mothers get sick. She found it frustrating, which made her mad, as the reality sometimes stole precious moments from her childhood. Despite her wish to change the outcome, she felt powerless. She missed her mom having the energy to jump and run with her. Rebecca ponders the strength her mommy had just a few short years prior.

Rebecca, despite her preteen brain and hormonal confusion, gracefully expresses disappointment beyond her years.

She often spoke of wanting those times back, as did her mom. They learned to compensate and use the nickels God gave them daily. They respected the balance. Yet, they wanted a few more energy nickels to spend, especially on special days. They came to realize sometimes the slow, or downtimes, gave them points of connection that in themselves were so extraordinary and vital, times they may not have had if in the fast lane.

Within her petite frame, movements stirred, reminiscent of the sea’s subtle ripples. She was now standing ankle-deep at the water’s edge. She held firm with beautiful defiance in her stance to claim her moment. Unbeknownst, her new sneakers didn’t bounce back from her hasty decision to dive into the wonderful experience. Her mom looked on with a quiet smile in her heart, as she loved seeing the bold action her little one was making with this proclamation while also knowing the meltdown that would follow when she discovered her favorite new sneaks would not recover as well from their seepage into the sea.

She spoke openly yet quietly under her breath, so no one was in earshot of her conversation with Him. She stared into the setting sun, as if gazing at God’s face. The minutes passed slowly as her mother watched from the side. Her lips moved up and down as she watched.

Witness the wonder of her growing up before you. To see a little one take ownership of a called purpose in God’s perfect plan.

She changed that day. She was now on her way to her journey and her glorious destiny. With time, she grasped the significance of the highs and lows in her journey. She would understand the reasons for the seasons in her life, growing less afraid of the confusing times and basking in the armor’s joy that helps her to crash the waves.

Maybe she introduced herself to God that day? Knowing God already knew her, but now she was ready to know Him, and her mother found this newfound confidence beautiful, but to see her do it in her way, was like witnessing a baptism in His creation, His palette, a little girl, and her Jesus also, perfect than that?