Today’s guest blogger is Laura Epps.
Out of the blue, in January, my sweet friend Adriana called and invited me to the upcoming Colors of His Love Christian Women’s Conference (founded by La-Tan Murphy) in Raleigh, NC.
To seal the deal, she even volunteered to pay my conference fees. I knew that God wanted me to go, but I didn’t know why. I was so excited because I’d convinced myself that I was going to receive my commission.
Adriana and I stayed an extra night beyond the conference to ensure a safer drive home in the daytime. At dinner that evening, I simply asked, “How’s business?” Adriana had her own business in Charlotte, NC.
“Actually, business is great. I’ve got a position that you’d be perfect for.” This simple conversation led to her offering me a job with her company, and I adore her. “Move to Charlotte,” she urged. I didn’t quite know what to say, and I was taken aback by the magnitude of her offer.
I had a week to make up my mind, but I’ve never made such a decision by myself before. I’d been somebody’s wife for close to 20 years, and I’m new to this whole single mom thing.
I decided then and there, the most important person I could ask was God. I circled it in prayer. I wrote it in my prayer journal. I prayed about it every morning and every night. What would God have me do? Where would God use my talents?
On a Friday afternoon, I went to run an errand at the local office store after I picked up my youngest from school. There I met a stranger named Phil. We started chatting, and I briefly told him about my big decision.
Phil twisted the end of his curled-up moustache and said, “Move to Charlotte. You’ll think I’m crazy, but I’m going to tell you anyway. Move to Charlotte, and you’ll meet your true husband.”
I must have looked at him in disbelief because he added, “Sometimes… you just have to take a leap of faith.”
On Saturday, I got a call from my friend Glenn, and he asked me about the conference. I told him about the job opportunity in Charlotte. To which, Glenn responded, “I’m going to miss you and all, but move to Charlotte. You’re educated; you’ll die in this little town. Go to Charlotte, and please still talk to me after you meet your new husband and get married.”
I guess I hesitated before responding, and he added “Sometimes… you just have to take a leap of faith.”
The next day, my youngest and I went to church. I was standing on the steps of the church when the youth ministries lady approached, and I told her about the big decision.
Again, I was greeted with the same advice I’d heard before. “There’s nothing in this town in the way of work much. Go to Charlotte. I know it’s scary, but sometimes…. you just have to take a leap of faith.”
Early in the week, I decided I’d call my dad and ask for his input. I’ve learned through the years, that my dad is a smart cookie.
Dad surprised me. His response: “How old are you now? 47? I moved to California and took all of you with me at 50, and it was the best thing I’ve ever done. It might be good for you and the girls too. You and the girls need a fresh start.”
We got to talking again about the Christian Women’s Conference where this all transpired. To which dad replied in his Southern drawl, “well sugar, sometimes…. you just have to take a leap of faith.”
There may be some of you out there wondering, “where’s God in all of this?” Often, God works through people to send us an answer, but it doesn’t replace your digging into the Word and finding those answers for yourself.
If I still had any doubt, that night in my devotional, I came across Hebrews 11:8-9:
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.
In this devotional, it was as if God wrote this passage as a love letter to me. Sometimes… you just have to take a leap of faith.
I believe that God honors that first step of ultimate trust in Him. I don’t know where you’re coming from in life, but sometimes, you just have to be obedient to the limited knowledge you do have. As for me, my daughters and I move to Charlotte on June 15.
Laurie Epps is a freelance writer, essayist and poet. You can find her work in many independent publications, on and off the web, including Random Thoughts on Being Human. Until June, Laurie calls the upstate of South Carolina home with two of her daughters.
