To understand the name Rebekah, you first have to understand the story behind a woman named Beverly.
Beverly was a good friend of my mom’s when she was in her twenties. Every day they’d eat lunch together on work break. Beverly invested her life into my mom’s and shared Christ with her. Eventually she led my mom into a relationship with Christ and discipled her. Weekly, they began praying for their children and families. This was all after my Mom and Dad got married.
So all my life, my mom has been the spiritual rock in our family. She took my sister and I to church every Sunday, prayed with us before bed each night, shared God’s love with us, and loved and disciplined me (the more strong-willed child!) in my rebellious years. Her hospitality and the way she loved our neighbors and friends was incredible. I remember her intentionality in sharing the gospel with others.
For 30 years, she prayed for my Dad’s salvation. She never nagged at him or shoved Jesus down his throat. But in humility, led a life of patience with my Dad before me. I believe her example and prayers are why he trusted in Christ as his Savior when I was in college. And I believe her prayers are why my sister and I came to know the Lord at a young age.
My mom continues to be a source of encouragement and wisdom to me as I navigate this journey of being a wife and new mother. She is the most selfless person I know.
At first, Jeremiah and I wondered what to name our baby girl but I always had a gut feeling what I wanted it to be. We could have picked a trendy name or a name with no real attachment to it. But I wanted our daughter’s name to be significant and meaningful. And because my mom’s name is Rebecca (she goes by Becky), no other name fit more perfectly.
We chose the spelling “Rebekah” because my mom actually liked that spelling better and Jeremiah and I did too! We also love that it’s the biblical spelling and the “k” in it goes well with our last name being Krieger.
It’s always crazy to think about what our family heritage would look like without my mom’s friend Beverly reaching out to her.
Well two years ago, Beverly died in her sleep at her home in Ohio. I cried when my mom told me the news. She was such a faithful servant and I am forever grateful for Beverly’s life. It still lives on.
Today, I couldn’t be more excited that my mom’s legacy will continue on as we honor her through our daughter who is due in nine days!
Now, all we need to figure out is our little girl’s middle name. Any suggestions?! (we have three we like, but are still open to others 🙂
I love you, Mom!
“Rebekah”- Hebrew – “captivating, knotted cord”
