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Off We Go, Into the Wild Blue…

I love riding my bike on a sunny day. I go about a hundred yards from our garage to the county road, fat bike tires spitting gravel,  my legs warming up to the exercise ahead. At the end of our driveway, it’s another football field to the main road where four wheelers and tractors outnumber the F150s on most days.

There’s a yield sign at the end and as I approach it I squeeze my right hand-brake without coming to a complete stop. I’m familiar with this way. My route is the same as the many times before and I know how far it is point to point. Two miles. Four miles. Six miles. Take your pick, choose your course, go.

Once on the half-gravel half-paved road, I coast. This is the fun part of my ride. I take my hands off the brake and enjoy the entire first half of my so-called exercise ride because it’s all downhill. But what a beautiful ride it is. It’s a two lane country road surrounded by pastures of hay where long steel pipes and massive wheels of side roll sprinklers inch along, water shooting out 24/7 during the summer. It’s all about farming here, and preparing for the onslaught of winter and keeping the cattle fed. Thus the miles and miles of hay fields that light up with yellow and purple all summer long.

Leaving where we’ve been planted for the last four years in beautiful Wyoming feels like we’re on our bikes again–pedaling pedaling pedaling–watching the scenery in our peripheral as we go. We came here for many reasons, arriving a bit empty but leaving so very full. Like the many side roads along the main highway of life, this has been the season of all seasons in our lives. I realize more than ever how this quiet, small town has been the best place to navigate our little family during the transition of teenage to adult years. Away from the draw of congested highways and populous school districts to the land of few stop lights and little travelled roads. I have no question it’s where we were meant to be, just like I have no question that it’s time to move on. It’s difficult explaining the uproot to people who’ve never left their comfort zone, their job, their childhood home. Often friends tell me how they’d love to explore a new expanse where they’ve never stepped foot, and often I relay how I envy their roots planted deep in rich soil.

I don’t know why, but we recently felt a release from Jackson, a letting go, a gentle prodding to a different pasture. After praying and questioning, talking and praying some more, Regi and I knew it was time. And one thing that doesn’t scare us is looking ahead and embarking on a new adventure. To where? We don’t know. Oddly enough that’s the part of the journey we rest in because it’s what grows our reliance on God. What would our faith life be if we only released our grip when we were confident of what awaited us on the other end of a decision? I wish it were as easy as saying we heard God’s voice in the middle of the night and here’s the exact plan for what’s ahead. Nope, that’s not the way it happened. So, we’re back on our bikes at the part of the journey where we let off the brake and coast along until we reach our next destination. This part of the ride is where not much is required of us except trust. We don’t have to do the pedaling right now because we’re being pushed along by an unseen hand to a place He has yet to reveal. But, we rest knowing He knows, and that’s all that matters.

 

And now a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.” You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, “If God wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” James 4:13, 14

 

23 Comments

  1. Best wishes on your new journey. God’s got this!

  2. So true!
    PS I miss riding my bike. It’s so fun and relaxing!

    • Let’s plan a bike ride. Somewhere far away so we can ride and ride and ride and ride. I’d love nothing more than hanging with you. Love you so much and grateful for what God is doing in your life. You are a miracle!!!

  3. Well said and wonderfully written. We’ll be praying for your the next part of your journey.

    • Thank you, Vince. There’s something about getting a compliment from you that I feel like I’ve gotten a gold star. It seriously means so much to me. Not just saying that either!! 🙂

  4. I’d love to have faith like yours. Please keep writing wherever you are planted next.

    • Let me just say, this is one of the first times I’ve felt like this. Ready to tackle something without knowing what. Ready to move on without knowing where. I find myself remembering what God has brought our family through and realize it’s time I realize fully that God is always in control. Always requiring us to trust Him, always with that promise that He won’t leave us or forsake us. Plus Regi has lots of wisdom for the future–that makes it a bit easier. HA!!! 🙂

  5. I so admire you! I have difficulty recognizing if it is God’s voice I am hearing or a deep desire of my heart I am hearing.

    • Oh, I know. I can say that when we first started thinking of where “we” wanted to go, it was fun dreaming. But the more I pressed into our desires, the more I realized that the sinking in my stomach was me not wanting to miss out on where God wants and needs us. After all, He knows the desires of our hearts. He still needs us somewhere, and that’s all that matters. To be right where he sends us. (I did put a caveat in my request that I can get a fifth wheel and come back here every summer.) Still waiting on that confirmation. 🙂

  6. Love the adjectives describing the bike ride and the LIFE ride!!❤️

  7. Praying for you all along this journey. Keep writing – love to see what God is up to in your family!❤️

  8. You have expressed the God I know as we face new territory with faith.
    I was your neighbor in Nashville and God had led me many places as you. We just go in faith knowing that He will Show us the Next as we minister in His name.
    God bless your new ministry and all that He has in store for you and Reggie.
    Blessings,
    Phyllis Nicholson

    • Thank you so much. Oh the Nashville days…it’s still home to us! We’re excited for this next step…

  9. Beautifully written Kim! Trusting God’s leading & direction takes trusting Him in every single step. You, Regi & your family are incredibly loved & respected and will be connected with friends forever. We love you both & highly esteem you as you follow His leading into this nest phase of life & ministry.

    • Thank you, Pastor. Our time here was probably the most divinely appointed, through all the thick and thin, of our whole ministry. It’s the reason I don’t worry, don’t get anxious…cause He’s proven time and again that He is faithful and He will lead and direct. You and Sheree have been the icing on the cake of serving…you are truly godly leaders that we will always cherish!

  10. You’re following in the footsteps, or bike path of Abraham, “who went out, not knowing, where,” but that is the walk of faith. Thanks for your bold faith. You’re inspiring!

    • Thank you for taking the time to read! This feels like one of the first times we aren’t worrying, wondering or pacing the floors. I’m ready for where God wants us and I’m in no rush. There’s always a reason for the waiting… 🙂

  11. Oh Kim – how I love following your journey and your sweet families triumphs! Follow HIS plan and your hearts will always be full, as the comfort of traveling together will trump the final destination itself. And remember, that at every fork in the road – you have the option of picking it up or leaving it behind! Safe travels wherever HIS path may lead you.. and much love to your sweet family!

    • You are so a sweet friend…still. Thank you for those kind words and the encouragement. We’re always off on some kind of adventure and each one is a blessing for so many different reasons. Love you tons. xoxoxoxo

  12. Beautifully written. Will miss you and Regi dearly. Keep writing and sending pictures of that precious Grandson and daughter.

    • Oh, I will for sure! You have been the most wonderful of people to us. We will miss your smile and hugs–but we’re never that far!! 😉

  13. Oh the places He will take you! He uses us most when we are open to go where He leads!
    I’ve enjoyed watching your sweet family through your sweet post here on FB!
    Praying your new season is the best yet!
    Blessings, Pacita

    • He is what makes this journey enjoyable, though often a little scary. I’ve learned that over the years for sure. Thank you for the sweet words. Speaking of sweet, one of these days I’m gonna show up at Pineapple Park to see all that SWEET furniture you have. Seriously!! I fall in love with your pictures every time. PS…there’s nothing like old friends whose comments bless me beyond measure. xoxoxo


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