Sometimes, God asks us to take baby steps of faith and, though they are tiny, they can be pretty scary. Sometimes, He calls us to stretch our legs and a “step” of faith looks a little more like the kind of splits they do in professional gymnastics. It seems as though God still thinks we all have the flexibility of a five-year-old. Then there are other times in life when the Lord clearly commands us to free ourselves from the chains of doubt and fear in one violent shake, take a deep breath of fresh faith-filled air, and leap. Right now, I can most relate to the latter.
Here’s the big announcement – I’m moving to Arkansas. I hope you had a napkin on hand to mop up the coffee that spewed all over your computer screen as you involuntarily sputtered “what?!?” after reading that. If not, you should probably stop reading this and go get one because I know first-hand that technology and caffeinated beverages (or any kind of beverages) don’t mix well. This has been semi-public news for awhile now, so if you’re not mopping up coffee then just take a minute to laugh about the number of memories you have with me where I’ve spilled coffee (or water, or just about anything else that can be spilled).
So…Arkansas. It’s happening! I wish there were words to adequately convey how much of a faith journey it has been to get to this point. But let me back up a little for those of you that are still thinking “Arkansas? Why in the world…?” Flashback to Month 7 of my Race. I was on a bus (read: overcrowded 16-passenger van) on the way back to our home for the month in Mae La Noi, Thailand after spending a few off-days in Chiang Mai. I was nestling in for my usual routine of pass-out-the-instant-the-vehicle-starts-moving when all of a sudden…I stayed awake. Since this is nothing short of miracle, I instantly recognized a sign of divine intervention. So when the Lord started speaking to me, I was ready to listen. And on my phone I typed out the following note:
“He is speaking to me of a new season. A sweet season. A few good years.
A full season. Vibrant, full of life and love, happy. Idyllic, almost.
New, and completely different in the best way. A new season. A turning point.
A new city. A creative one. Maybe Nashville or Savannah or Charleston?
An exciting season. A joyful one.
I am crying, because the beauty of it is overwhelming.
Not a particular picture or part of it…but just the feel of it.
An adventurous season. A season of finding, exploring, discovering. A new season.
I take His hand, and He promises to guide me. We go forth together in confidence.
A new season. A blessed one. An abundant one.
I welcome it with open arms and my eyes on Jesus.”
And that’s where it all started. From then on, I had a settled knowing that the season following after the Race would take me to a city outside of my beloved Charlotte. Clearly, though, my idea and God’s idea of what “a new city” meant were completely different. Honestly, most of you would have been less surprised if I’d been moving halfway across the globe. But Arkansas? Trust me, I understand your shock. I wish that I had time to write about all of the guiding conversations, countless confirmations, and unexpected twists and turns that this journey has involved, but here’s the rest of a long story made short. My dear friend and teammate, Bailey, and I started joking/dreaming about living together over late-night games of Nertz in our little Cambodian ‘treehouse’ and by the time we got to Vietnam in September we had decided to pray intentionally about the possibility. Shortly after we decided to proceed (still prayerfully) with the plan to live together “somewhere” after the Race, Bailey was offered an incredible job opportunity that would take her to Bentonville, Arkansas. Cue a lot of “Uh, God, are you sure about this?” prayers. For the rest of the Race and over the past couple of months at home, the Lord has been faithful to confirm over and over again, “Yup, I’m sure. To Arkansas you go!”
Not only is this not at all what I had in mind for “a new season,” it’s also a ridiculous decision based on the world’s wisdom. I recognize that. I’m moving, not just to a new area, but a new STATE, halfway across the country, with no job lined up yet, knowing just one person. I’m leaving behind a lot in Charlotte – my family, the most incredible community of friends that a girl could ask for, several job opportunities, 23 years worth of contacts and connections…the list goes on. There are so many logical reasons stacked up on the side of “why Cassady shouldn’t move to Arkansas” that it’s pointless to try and justify it. My dad has, understandably, been one of the greatest contributors to list of reasons why this is not a smart idea, and in one particular conversation I finally said, “Look, I know that this doesn’t make any sense. I am fully aware of all the logical reasons why I shouldn’t do this. And if I was making this decision because I thought it ‘made sense’ then you would have talked me out of it a long time ago. But all the reasons in the world aren’t going to convince me because I am making this decision in faith. And sometimes faith just doesn’t make sense.“
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see… And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him… Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the Race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 11:1, 6, 12:1-2a)
I find it amusing that one of the shirts I wore most over the last 11 months literally has this verse written on it. Clearly the Lord has been trying to teach me something! Here’s a picture of me wearing it while sitting on a boat en route to the jungles of Bolivia.
So, here’s to a giant leap of faith. And while it is scary, here are just a few reasons why I am incredibly EXCITED for this new and upcoming season!
1) For the first time in my life, I get to find out what it’s like to start over in a brand new city. To some that sounds terrifying, but I am giddy over the idea.
2) My soon-to-be housemate, Bailey, is amazing. She is Spirit-led, coffee-loving, and wonderfully adventurous. Bentonville, I hope you’re ready for us.
3) Completely by the Lord’s grace, we are going to be living in the cutest little cottage that you ever did see and it’s located just a few blocks from several trailheads (perfect for biking and hiking) and the downtown Bentonville square. Apparently this up-and-coming city is known for its creativity and love for the arts (Remember when the Lord told me in Thailand I’d go to a creative city?).
4) I’ve been so encouraged by the contacts that I made (through the WR alumni Facebook page)! Lord-willing, one of them might be leading me to an exciting job opportunity working with kiddos who have disabilities!
5) Though I don’t know this from personal experience (yet), the internet tells me that Arkansas is full of natural beauty! It’s also known for its plethora of antique shops and farmer’s markets!
The list could go on, but I really just want you all to come alongside me in being excited for this leap of faith into the next season of my life. And, as always, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of your love and support! Thank you!!
with love and wanderlust,
Cassady
P.S. – If you don’t have my new phone number yet, or you’d like my new address in Bentonville, OR you’d like to see me before I leave, shoot me a message on Facebook or email me at [email protected]! I will do my absolute best to respond to you in quickly.
