Faith is Taking the First Step

Today I took a trip to Family Travels on a Budget, the vacations tips home of my friend Karen Dawkins. I'm there sharing my favorite places in Memphis. Why not come visit there and get inspired to visit my hometown sometime? 

In the meantime, Karen's hopped over here to share with you. Please welcome her to the oasis!

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by Karen Dawkins

Faith is taking the first step...

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight...

Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

Proverbs 3:21-23

“Mom, I forgot how much I love this place,” he spoke quietly as we strolled across the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. I hadn’t forgotten, but I knew this made his decision difficult.

Samford is more than nine hours from home. It’s a private school. Even with a great scholarship offer, it’s expensive. His other option, Appalachian State, is closer to home and less expensive. Not to mention, he already has several friends there.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, he agonized over his college decision. We prayed. I honestly didn’t expect it to be this difficult. Finally, he chose App State, for all the logical reasons. He didn’t seem convinced, though, so we waited to enroll.

A few days later, overcome with tears, I called my husband at work. Between sobs (ridiculous, I know), I tried to convey how wrong it felt. I explained that if God wanted him to go to App State, we should have peace. He agreed -- and admitted he felt much the same way.

The First Step is the Hardest

We waited some more.

We prayed some more.

Still no peace. As March drew to a close, our son had to decide.

“If money wasn’t an issue, where would you go?” I finally asked the question at the heart of it all.

Immediately, he answered, “Samford!”

“Well then, Samford it is.”

“How will we pay for it? You and dad already paid for your college, I can’t ask you to sacrifice that much for me.” We knew this was what held him back. We knew paying for Samford meant giving up vacations, dining out and cable.

Oh my son. Don’t you know I want the best for you? Don’t you know I’d joyfully do whatever it takes to help you to become the man God intends you to be? It’s not sacrifice. It’s love.

Together, we pulled up the Samford website and enrolled him. His face glowed. The peace finally came -- for us all.

An hour later, about 8:00 p.m., the phone rang. His Samford admissions counselor called to inform us that the dean had decided to increase his scholarship offer by a total of $10,000.

As I hung up the phone and relayed the message, my eyes filled with tears. We looked at each other, my son, my husband and I, stunned. Breaking the silent shock, our other son piped up, “See guys. God was just waiting for you to take the first step.”

The first step. It’s that simple, isn’t it? Take that first step in faith…

Where are you in God’s plan today?

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Seasoned traveler and North Carolina mom, Karen Dawkins, writes about her experiences and shares travel tips at Family Travels on a Budget. She has traveled around the world with her family on a budget, enjoying the adventure and the challenge of doing it all for less! The next four years will involve lots of travel back and forth to Alabama!

She also writes about faith and family at Karen Dawkins: Destination Joy, a blog inspired by her favorite verse, Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The next four years will stretch her to live out that faith as she takes her first steps away from daily parenting child number one.

Connect with her online at Family Travels on a Budget and Karen Dawkins: Destination Joy. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.