By Janice Richardson,
Contributing Writer
God has been evident in Rebecca’s life in many ways – even when she did not know it. He played a significant role in her engagement and wedding, her jobs and taught her a lot about her relationship with Him.
Born and raised in Quebec, Rebecca came from a large family. She is the third oldest of seven siblings. She had the privilege of attending a public Christian school until grade 10. The school was like a family to her; however, the school closed down when she was in high school and she was forced to attend a regular public school. She was very angry and upset at first and could not understand how God could let that happen. After praying one day, God told her that He had given her ten years of training. Now it was time for her to get out in the world and use that training. That made total sense to her. God had given her a perspective that she had never considered before.
In 2006, she ventured to Alberta to improve her English skills. She joined two of her sisters working at Camp Silversides. She made a friend at that camp, Amy, and eventually met the rest of her family including Amy’s father, who also was French. On the weekend before she flew back to Quebec, Rebecca stayed at Amy’s parents’ house as it was near the airport. That weekend she met Amy’s brother, Luc.
After Rebecca returned to Quebec, Luc surprised her with an email. She responded and they kept in contact with each other. She considered him to be a friend – nothing more. She had never dated anyone and was not actively looking for a boyfriend. In fact, she did not think she would ever get married. Growing up, her parents’ relationship was quite rocky. She also found out an uncle, who she thought highly of, had been cheating on his wife. Because of the turmoil of these relationships, Rebecca had no desire to get married.
Two years later, in 2008, Rebecca felt like she was losing her English skills so decided to return to Alberta January 2009 for what she thought was another short visit. Although, she wanted to see Luc, she did not want that to be the reason she was going. She planned to return to Quebec because that is where her family and family business were located. She felt comfortable there, it was a place she understood, and it was where she thought she belonged. But God had other plans.
As Rebecca and Luc were getting closer, she became very nervous. At a young age, she told God that she would marry the first man that noticed a small scar near her eye that she got from a childhood fall. Since she and Luc were getting very close, Rebecca did not feel it was right to continue the relationship until he identified the scar. In the back of her mind, she thought it was a silly thing. Would God really honour it? But it was her way of knowing that God blessed this relationship and Luc was the person she was to marry.
She told Luc she could not go any further in the relationship unless he asked a certain question that only God could reveal. Luc prayed about it. After many weeks of prayers and patience, God revealed the scar to Luc one day while he was visiting her at work. She had her glasses on making it almost impossible to see but God revealed it to him!
God continued to confirm that Rebecca and Luc were to get married, but Rebecca wanted permission from her father. When they went to visit him, her father prayed that Luc would say specific words to him, which he did. They planned an outdoor wedding on family land in Quebec. The forecast was for rain the day of the wedding. God then asked her why she had rented a tent, as He is the one who controls the rain! Then by faith, Rebecca called Luc and asked him not to set up under the tent, but outside. As they stood outside on their wedding day, a ray of sunlight shone down through the clouds - just on them. It felt like God was hugging them, a wonderful moment. The weather cooperated while they were outside but as soon as they went indoors, it began to rain.
Rebecca is not skilled in planning, so she left many wedding details up to others. The reception hall was decorated in her wedding colours without her telling them what her colours were. She had wanted papers with the words of the songs for everyone to sing, but never got around to arranging it. Amazingly, someone did it without her asking.
“I really like how God honours the faith of a little girl. He honoured my wish with that scar. What you ask of Him by Faith, He will answer. God knows that I doubt every decision and He gave me confirmation after confirmation that I was to marry Luc. I did not want to doubt my marriage.”
God also provided jobs for Rebecca. While working at Tim Hortons, it became very painful to move her left shoulder. The constant repetitive movements in the sandwich station overworked it. She needed a different job and a chiropractor, but Luc’s limited insurance coverage did not provide enough treatment. Then, a housecleaning opportunity arose with a friend from church. Rebecca was able to quit her job at Tim Hortons and take over the housecleaning clients. One of her clients was a chiropractor so she exchanged housecleaning for his services! God provided.
After two years, Rebecca felt it was time to move on and was starting to hate the housecleaning. God told her to stop, but people would tell her not to quit a job without having another job. “God just kept telling me to stop. So I did.”
She was without work for more than a week and when she prayed about what she should do next, God told her she should contact the person she had on her heart. She knew that was her mother in law’s cousin who ran a sheep farm east of Calgary. She had met him at Christmas and her heart was drawn to him. She had never worked with sheep in her life! She called him to see if he needed help. At first he said no but he called her that night asking if she could start the next morning! Although Rebecca had no experience, she progressed in this job and has taken over some of the management of the farm.
In all of these situations, God spoke clearly to Rebecca. She knows it was Him speaking by how she feels.
“When God speaks to me, it is deep in my heart. My head may have different thoughts, but when it is from God, I feel it deep in my heart. It’s almost like my heart yells at me. I wish it would happen more!”
Rebecca recently went through another painful time in her life. In the summer of 2012, her family suffered a spiritual attack, taking each of them in different directions. Many family members were hurt and confused about decisions that were made. This tore Rebecca apart and confused her spiritually as she had been very close to all of them. She went through a two and a half year period, not knowing what to do. One morning when she was by herself, she picked up a devotion book, God’s Promises. Here is what God told her:
My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. But be happy that you are sharing God’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory. 1 Peter 4:12-13.
God told her that she was putting her faith in her family instead of Him and when they crashed, she crashed. She was being tested and had not realized it.
“Relieved from the spiritual fight, I finally saw the light, the truth.”
Although Rebecca’s family are Christians, they had strong opinions and did not show a lot of grace. The law prevailed more than grace. Luc taught her something different.
“Luc is about grace. He is so gentle. He is the one who taught me about grace. I don’t feel that I deserve him.”
If she had stayed single, she would have relied on her family and when the family crisis occurred, it would have been even more devastating.
God continues to bless and challenge Rebecca. She has also gotten involved with a healing ministry, which is stretching her in her faith walk to rely on God to work and speak through her. Rebecca and Luc have been blessed with three sons. They are ready for their next adventure!