My first taxi ride was in none other than Times Square.
That might have been an iconic memory on its own, but there was a faith moment with a taxi that changed me — and it had nothing to do with billboards or Broadway, or my first ever trip to New York City.
I’d traveled quite a bit in nearly 15 years as a corporate trainer, but up to that point, I’d only ever used rental cars or shuttle rides to and from an airport. Taxis were new to me. And here they everywhere. And intimidating when a yellow sea of cars continued speeding by en masse.
For the first couple of days of our business trip, I blended in with the sidewalks and let my co-worker friend hail the cabs. After all, she was the experienced Big Apple tourist and it was easier to stand back and let her do the lifting.
She navigated. I tagged along.
She lead. I followed, owning very little on our trip.
It may have been gumption bolstered by an all-day leadership workshop, or our incredible dinner of pesto and pasta in Little Italy, but I’d had enough of allowing myself to coast in the background.
I wanted to lean in. To engage. To take a step, no matter how small, and have a part in the memory-making.
On a whim, I stepped out to the curb, notched my chin, and threw up my hand, hailing our cab with the confidence of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. My friend grabbed me, hugging and smiling and twirling us, with a “You did it!” on repeat. She’d been wise to my meekness all along, and must have known what that moment meant to me because of it.
Suddenly, I was a confident New Yorker instead of a tourist in someone else’s city.
I’d owned that moment and was made stronger because of that single step.
Hailing a cab is by no means earth-shattering. But that small opportunity to step off the curb was big for me — because I remembered it later. When the next opportunity came along to step out of my comfort zone and lean in to my faith at the office, I remembered that moment. To engage. To take a step, no matter how small, and be confident in my faith instead of a tourist in someone else’s.
Faith is built one decision, one strength-habit, one holy moment at a time. As we turn to God in small things — and find His faithfulness en masse — we remember the collection of them. They change us. Sharpen us. Refine and restore us on the path to our calling. And the things that were once small, build a bigger, stronger faith down the length of our story roads.
God needs Jesus girls in offices, classrooms, board rooms, court rooms, operating rooms, sanctuaries, and nurseries. He even needs us on the sidewalks, hailing cabs, stepping out in order to lean in. Years later, I learned that one small step could build to a big faith-story with God. I had enough confidence in Him to walk away from that career, and lean in to a deeper life purpose of full-time ministry.
He’s looking for our uncertain hearts. The ones who might be intimidated newbies, but are still willing to step up to the curb and lean in to all Jesus has for us.
That kind of life story? It’s as iconic as it gets.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
Kristy, I love the metaphor of “stepping off the curb” — very intimidating and descriptive for this country bumpkin. But it depicts the angst and the uncertainty and the bold moves of faith in a God who is completely worthy of my trust and who meets my risk with grace.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Kristy,
Great analogy of our steps in faith. A wise Christian mentor once told me, “Practice with the small stuff.” That has stuck with me….the more we practice with the small steps of faith and stepping out, the better equipped and more confident we will be when the really big steps come along. Hail to you for hailing that cab!! 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Elizabeth says
‘God needs Jesus girls in offices, classrooms, board rooms, court rooms, operating rooms, sanctuaries, and nurseries.’ – and in children’s literature too?
He works in a mysterious way, right enough – I need to be jolted out of diffidence and take that step… Thanks for the shove!
Thalia in Jamaica says
Elizabeth, you are most definitely needed.. I recall getting a lot of emboldening encouragement from children’s literature in my youth.. And still, if i am honest, from books aimed at my children..
As a teacher, I too, feel the nervousness of wanting to step out. As a parent, it is with me everytime, my children move to a new stage of their development, or my marriage morphs (as they regularly do, a half decade at a time..).. Kristy, you’ve given us a lot to think about and inspiration to act.. From one daughter of the King to another, Elizabeth, let’s take a deep breath, hold hands, step on to the curb and, in Jesus’ name.. Hail. That. Cab!!
Elizabeth says
Kristy, once again I just have to thank you and every single Sister in Christ who contributes here. Each one of you has something unique to offer – and gets our day off to a great start.
I also look for Michele and Bev’s regular comments; always interesting.
Beth Williams says
Kristy,
What a great faith story! God is looking for bold people who will step out in faith and trust Him. Don;t worry about being qualified-He will give you what you need! In June 2015 I took a leap of faith and quit a good paying job to be more available for my aging dad. I believed that immediately I would go back part-time. 16 months later and many ups & downs I finally got that part time job. I used that time to grow my faith. Got more involved in church & local missions. Like you say: Faith is built “one decision, one strength-habit, one holy moment at a time.” It doesn’t come easy. I just look back over time & see all the prayer requests He’s answered & how He’s gotten me through trials. That is what builds up my faith!!
Blessings 🙂
Penny says
While driving down the highway after learning some tragic news last week, we noticed a double loader in the ditch. I felt a wave of panic as I told my husband we needed to stop. He told my son and I to put while he went to see if he could help. When he returned he said,” I thought I told you to stay in the car.” I couldn’t help but blurt out,” We aren’t going to get hit, have Faith.” It turned out the driver was a friend and thankfully escaped with few injuries. Although this was a small step of Faith it wasn’t one my son or I were going to be held back from.
Thank-you for sharing your story Kristy…
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Kellie says
I clicked over and read this because I thought I knew someone who might need it…just as I was about to click the share button, I realized it was for me. Still sharing but from a different perspective. Stepping off the curb.
Suzi says
I’ve been living or working in Manhattan for most of my adult life, and hailing cabs still intimidates me! I have been trying to take small steps of faith lately. The little steps can be so big.
Valerie says
I took my first flight by myself last Spring to attend a conference. It was a huge step for me to start living my faith with confidence. I had previously been the meek one watching my friend use her Uber ap like a pro and step into a car with a stranger, with no fear of “what ifs”.
“To take a step, no matter how small, and be confident in my faith instead of a tourist in someone else’s.” Oh, how I love this quote!
Danielle Bernock says
I really loved this. I could relate in so many ways. I’ve been to New York only once, but I was seeing as I was reading. And yes, hailing that cab might not have been “earth shattering” (I use that term a lot myself) but it was indeed life changing. Those little inner victories bring about awesome growth in us. Thank you for sharing!!
Pearl Allard says
“He’s looking for our uncertain hearts. The ones who might be intimidated newbies, but are still willing to step up to the curb and lean in to all Jesus has for us.” this! Kristy, thank you for sharing this piece of your heart with us to make ours stronger.
Ada says
Thanks for sharing. Being single at 33 and recovering from depression (pretty much lost all especially career, finances & “friends” over the last 5 years) and in a place of starting over career wise and with everything and trusting God for a new beginning but have honestly been scared to step out to even TRY (with consisently giving up & falling right back into depression before I even begin) anything in recent times. Thank you for this encouragement to ‘step out to the curb’ whilst trusting that God will heal me permanently and restore me to the path of His calling. Thanks for sharing again. #TimelyWord
Rebecca L Jones says
One small step can lead to a leap of faith. We always called taxis in Atlanta, but mostly it was driving. I’d look forward to that experience in the Big Apple.
Jeannet says
Ik houd van het oefenen met kleine stappen! Het geeft vele kleine vreugden in mijn hart! De Here Jezus is dichtbij elk van ons.
karyn says
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!! baby steps can be so difficult, but can be earth-shattering once you have the faith and courage to take it. a lot of times others don’t understand how tough that first step is. especially when it seems so simple for them. i am so glad both you and your awesome friend celebrated the victory that was that step! celebrating and recognizing it gives you confidence and faith to take another one…and another one!
like valerie, i love when you said “To take a step, no matter how small, and be confident in my faith instead of a tourist in someone else’s.” such a simple statement, yet so powerful! (i will be quoting you henceforth!)
Cheri Johnson says
Fun analogy! Good reminder! Well written. Thanks for sharing, Kristy.