Last year, my wife and I took one of the biggest risks of our lives. We moved away from everything and everyone we knew to do what we were called to do. I resigned from a steady job where I had a recent promotion to join my wife in this new adventure. Like the legend of Hérnando Cortéz, we burned our ships didn’t look back and headed for Arizona.
It didn’t work out the way we had hoped. I thought I could immediately land a new job right away. It took eight months. My father-in-law was gravely ill and eventually passed away. This caused us to make many trips back to the Midwest. A five-year commitment was cut to one year.
Yet, we have no regrets. In fact, I am glad we took a risk. It taught me a few things I never expected.
- There really is a world much larger than the little one we are used to
- A trip across the United States made me realize how big this world really is… and I need to see the rest of it!
- There is no growth without a big, fat, hairy goal
- There is no growth without some hardship
- Living in a place you hardly know is invigorating
- So much to explore
- So much to do
- Returning to a place you lived makes you realize all the wonderful things you stopped noticing
- Our stuff weighs us down. You wouldn’t believe how freeing it is to sell most of the contents of your house and go where your heart leads you
- Expect people to think you’re crazy for taking a risk
- Both where you came from and where you land
- Integrity is more important than a goal
- My wife is an amazing combination of integrity, strength, skills, and heart. She is the epitome of grace under pressure. I am so proud of her!
- When you take a risk, it inspires your kids to do the same
That last one was worth it, if for nothing else. There is nothing wrong with staying where you grew up. But there are so many possibilities out there. Because we took a risk, my kids were also encouraged to try something different. That realization alone has made a bumpy journey in the desert worth it.
