the truth of words.

lighthouse. and strength. [these are my words for the trip]

i'm on a trip in ireland with 13 girls. some of which know me quite well, others who are only beginning to know my story. however, no matter the length of insight and understanding into my soul.. they all seem to hear the same things. it's incredible. as if God is trying to solidify something i need to understand and believe about myself. 

first, you must know... yesterday was my birthday. a day we celebrate the day i came into this world. also the day my mother was finally able to give me the name she always wanted her daughter to have: brittney rae ann. it's meaning has been debated. but my favorite -- "strength" and "overflowing grace". i think it is so fascinating that our parents pick names for us before we are even born, that somehow coincide with our personalities and lifestories. 

strength and overflowing grace.  who knew that when i was named this, my life would revolve around the necessity for strength to survive through crisis after crisis, the desire for strength to uplift my friends in time of need, the strength to persevere and overcome. and grace to weather through the storm, grace to understand, and grace to share the truth. it's so incredible, and astounds me all the more that i can now see clear evidence of such meaning throughout my twenty-one years of existence. 

so... back to the friends, and their words: lighthouse. and strength. 

throughout the week, several of the girls have told me i am strong. 

"brittney, you are so strong. and i mean that. having been through the things you have experienced, you are so strong."

"brittney, i love your strength and your boldness."

"brittney, you are real. i love that about you. you have a rare strength and passion for others."

also, my friends have decided to compared me to a lighthouse...

"brittney, you are a lighthouse. because you're strong and you guide people through the storms of life."

"brittney, you reach out to those around you and make everyone feel included and loved. you draw in hurting and lost people... "

wow, pretty powerful words... and so fitting that we should be celebrating the day my mother gave me my name, the same day we visit a lighthouse of the coast of ireland. 

ironic. maybe. 

or perhaps just another beautiful design of God's word choice in my lifestory.