Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: HISTORY (03/10/22)
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TITLE: Moving in Fear | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ellen Janson
03/17/22 -
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Andrew and I were both born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Most of our family had resided there for at least three generations, and we lived within a five minute drive to many of them. We had four young boys, ages 18 months to seven years, when we purchased what we thought would be our “forever” home. It had lots of neighbors with young families (some of whom we even knew) and a big yard that we envisioned would be perfect for future ball games.
Nine months after moving into our new home, Andrew was approached by a business associate about a job in St. Joseph, Michigan. This job in Michigan offered “potential for growth and autonomy,” he told me. I could see that it was very exciting for him, and did not want him to resent me in the future for passing up on an opportunity to advance his career. Despite that it also, obviously, meant moving away - leaving both family, friends and our new house, I agreed that he should “investigate” it - always thinking in the back of my head that it would never really happen.
Andrew with the owner of said company over the next few months, and, ashis enthusiasm grew, I eventually (reluctantly) agreed to accompany him to St. Joseph, Michigan. In touring the small town’s single elementary school, I broke down at the thought of losing our current school, wherein my children had cousins and many family friends. In looking at houses, I compared each one to our recently purchased “perfect” home. And Michigan? I imagined being snowed in for months at a time with four boys bouncing off the walls.
I was young in my faith and had really not even thought to pray for guidance throughout this decision process. But on August 10, 2004, as we drove northeast on highway 80, UHaul in tact, I could no longer deny my reality. I finally cried out to God for help.
When we arrived at our temporary house, my tears fell for pretty much 48 hours
straight. I tried to assure my husband (and myself) that I would eventually be fine - I
just needed time to figure out how to deal with my new “life”. The third evening in our
rental, my husband called me out to meet our new (temporary) neighbors. I forced myself outside, and met Michele. She was my age, had recently moved from Chicago, Illinois, and she and her husband had three boys ages two through seven. We could not have had more in common!
I walked back into our rental, got down on my knees, and thanked God for His provision. A peace washed over me. I was finished crying. I knew that God had me.
Looking back, I see so many ways in which God took care of me during this time of my life. When we moved, I was young in my faith, but God met me right where I was. I now have a history with Him, and that has empowered me to continue stepping out of my comfort zone, even when it means moving again - this time to Baltimore.
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