Saturday, I traveled into Atlanta to visit two different parishes doing Charis Retreats.  As I returned home, I found myself once again on the road Chris and I took two years ago for the first time to the town we now live.  Every time I find myself on this particular road, I am reminded of this first time we took this road.  It was late at night, and the road was dimly lit.  We were driving on this road  to get to Chris’ interview the next morning.  We had no idea where we were going.  We had no idea what was going to happen.  We knew nothing about this city.  We knew no one in the city. 

As I drove along this same road on Saturday, I had one of those moments of clarity.  I realized that so many of the things Chris and I had hoped for and prayed for have happened since taking this road two years ago.  We have grown so much as individuals. as a couple, and as a family.  This move provided opportunities for Chris and I to take significant steps forward in living our deepest desires. 

Making this move, though, was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.  It literally was a risk in faith that has been challenging and exciting and nerve-wracking and inspiring.   In so many ways, it challenged the part of me that likes to have things figured out and planned (Yes…I am a “J” on Meyers-Briggs!).  However, at the same time it has inspired the part of me that thrives on creativity, freedom, and hope. 

As I drove along this road that I have only known now for two years, I kept asking myself, “What if we had not said, ‘yes’ to this?  Where would we be? Would we have eventually gotten to this point in our lives without making the move?”  While I do not know the answers, I am grateful to whatever it was inside of us that gave us the courage to say “yes”.  For me, I can only name it one thing…the Holy Spirit. 

Are we traveling along the road we want to be traveling on?
Is there a road we desire to travel that takes a risk in faith? If so, what steps do we need to take in order to enact that deep desire within us? 

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.