We didn't know what to do: We were thousands of miles from family, in a strange town that offered no future, beaten down by broken dreams,an empty bank account and mistakes that mocked us. We were two kids with two babies and it felt like the world was against us.
We held each other in the dark of the night and cried for one another. My young husband turned to me and wiped tears from my face, "What does your heart say?"
"I want to go home!" I sobbed. He hugged me close and without another word, we made the decision.
To go out on a limb.
It was the biggest leap of faith we'd ever made in our marriage. And it was hard. There were scary days, unsure moments, but God was faithful. Because sometimes when you leap, you end up flying.
That was seven years ago this month.
It took my husband six (long) months to find a job. In January, he will celebrate his 7th year with the same company.
Seven years ago, we stepped out on a branch, it was fragile and shaky, but it was connected to The Vine.
John 15:5-7"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
It has been a season of bounty and growth. It has been a time of preparation.
He holds me close. We are older, wiser now, with a gray hair or seven, but still fit together perfectly. I cry and can't explain why. He wipes away a lone tear with his thumb. "What does your heart say?"
"It's time to leave home. It's time to find a limb."
And without another word, we make the decision to follow God, wherever He leads us.
We don't know what tomorrow holds. There are no promises of it. But we know He holds tomorrow. Sometimes, you have to go out on a limb.
To get to the fruit.
by Kristen, We are THAT family
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Gorgeous.
I don’t comment much on your blog, but I’ve loved watching what God’s doing in your heart over the past year or so. I can’t wait to see what is ahead…
Thank you for posting this. When God speaks LISTEN has been my motto recently and this was something I am so glad I had the opportunity to read. It encourages me to continue down the path I am on. It feels good to be with Him
This is encouraging and exciting. I’m out on a limb these days and trying to figure out how to balance out here! Thanks for being a source of challenge and encouragement to many, Kristen! God is awesome in you.
We took a leap a little over a year ago, and God has not failed to show up, we however have failed to hear correctly at times…but hindsight is so perfect and God’s plans are so perfect and His discipline is so so so perfect…
Also watching and listening for what HE has planned for us this year! Very exciting!!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Kristen,
May you sense that you are not only “getting” the fruit out on that limb, but that — indeed — you are bearing it.
God’s blessings to you as you remain in Him. Thank you for the reminder to stay secured to the vine — the only real way to live.
Love to you…
Beautiful post, Kristen! That’s right…out on a limb….that’s where the fruit is!
Living in complete trust of the Vinedresser is a breathtakingly beautiful experience… it will never disappoint.
That’s what my heart has been doing — I pray that my husband will one day see the limb and the Vinedresser as something he desires.
Love you, love your heart!
Oh, Kristen, this is beautiful. Not just the words, but the message…the call to follow God to the unknown to reach the fruit that can only be found there. Thank you.
It can be scary to dangle on the limb…but I wouldn’t want to miss anything God has for me by staying safe on the ground!
My family has been in a “ministry” limbo for over 2 years. We’re in a waiting season. Somedays, I want to give up. {Never on my Lord….just the waiting}
I pray you find your way. God seems to be doing amazing things in your life! He’s just cool like that!
Love it Kristen! Please know that you are encouraging us as well in this journey of yours, for us (me) to get out on our own limb, following Him. It’s all so worth it, isn’t it? Thank you! =)
Wow, thank you Kristen – what a great reminder of what Faith does and that we have to get out of our comfort zone to grown. May we all have ears to hear when God speaks to us. Change is never easy but listening to God is our answer!
xoTiffany
Kristen, this really spoke to my heart. Thank you, as always, for sharing your talent.
Kristen, I love how you are willing to take risks, to go there, to do the hard and scary. You are a force in the Kingdom to be reckoned with, you with your tender heart and powerful words. Jesus-lover, world-changer, soul-sister…so thankful for you.
Great post…
We all need to reach out for that limb from time to time.
My husband and I are dangling on a limb right now…we’ve been there for quite awhile but praise God the branch has not broken! I know he’s watching over us!
Lovely post! xo & blessings in the journey.
Oh this!
Reaching long for fruit can be terrifying (!!)… but He who is the Vine won’t let us branches break.
You help me remember!
LOVE this post, Kristen! Love you.
God uses you….
All’s grace…
Ann
My husband and I are just starting on a journey to move to another part of the nation, away from everything familiar to a place where we feel called. It’s exciting and painful all at the same time. Your post blessed my heart this morning as I woke up with DOUBTS and FEARS overflowing. We are about to leap and risk everything, but are believing that He is leading us and He is faithful and true. Thank you for the encouragement.
Your heart and journey right now is such an inspiration and encouragement to me (and in extension, my family) We are right behind you on the limb and it is so comforting to know there are others on the limb and that we are all trusting in the only Vine that never boughs or breaks. Trusting Him with you!
Looking forward to crawling out onto that limb with you…. 🙂
There is something so very beautiful about stepping out in faith and letting God hold you along the way. it’s always so hard to see it in the midst of trodding along, but God is so faithful.
What an inspiring post. Wish I’d read it when we made a scary move from New England to Nebraska 9 years ago! Thank you, Kristen.
thanks, Holley for your encouragement. Your words are so uplifting to me.
KW
there is something so amazingly fantastic and unbelievably scary about joining God where he is working. thanks for sharing your heart!
Love your phrase ‘sometimes we have to go out on a limb… to get the fruit.’ Amen!!
My husband and I (and three little girls), with peace in our hearts, are crawling out on a limb in a few weeks, moving to a place with no job (yet). We both know this is where He wants us. And what He has shown me in the last few weeks cements that in my mind every day. It seems crazy to those around us, but when asked to choose between what the world thinks and what the Creator of the world thinks, I choose the Creator. Thank you for your words of encouragement!
Hmm, that’s some compelling information. I would search on Google to find other similar articles. Actually, I came across your blog on Google Blog Search. I’m going to add your RSS feed to my reader. Continue posting please!