By Alexis A. Goring
Brave Women Series - Alexis' Story
On a crisp Autumn day, I sat inside my car in the parking lot near PANERA Bread Café, pondering what to do.
Erin, the editor of the county newspaper I worked for as a freelance reporter in Maryland, had just called me telling me that the publisher for a job I interviewed for in Montana had called her for a reference. This was a full-time, salaried position, what some would call my “first big break in journalism.” Erin said she gave me a good reference and that it sounded like they wanted to hire me. As I sat in silence, wondering what was next, I received a phone call from that publisher. He offered me the job! I asked if I could have time to consider everything, so he gave me a few days to think.
My mind took a deep dive into self-reflection as I realized I would be leaving all of this behind me—the convenience of living in the suburbs surrounded by cities within driving distance, the ease of taking the metro into D.C., being a short beltway trip from Virginia, and living only twenty minutes away from Annapolis. My eyes looked at my surroundings with a new appreciation: the abundance of green trees and grass, great stores, restaurants that offered delicious food, the local Barnes & Noble bookstore, and especially the structure of my favorite PANERA. Would there even be one within driving distance of my workplace in Montana?
I’d lived in Maryland all of my life, and while I’d traveled out of state and country, it was only to visit. I was an East Coast Girl. Was I ready to move to the West?
"I’d lived in Maryland all of my life, and while I’d traveled out of state and country, it was only to visit. I was an East Coast Girl. Was I ready to move to the West?"
When I returned home, I told my Mom about the job offer and she squealed. I told her that I needed to fast and pray about this opportunity, but she was convinced that God already gave me the greenlight to go. Since she never led me wrong, I took her advice and prepared to move. Being the wonderful mother she is, she offered to help me relocate to Montana.
Within a few weeks, we flew out of busy Maryland into a small airport in Montana. A statue of a big, bronze cow stood in the center of baggage claim, welcoming us to Big Sky Country.
Over the span of a week, my Mom and I filled my empty apartment with everything I would need. To do this, we drove back and forth from the small town where my apartment was located in a rural area, to the nearest city that was an hour drive away… Billings. Whenever we drove into the city, the people, stores, businesses, places to eat and a broadcast television station made it feel like home. But when we returned to my two-story “apartment house”, I felt peace and quietness in my soul. The most remarkable feature of living in Montana was being able to inhale the fresh, clear mountain air that felt like medicine for my sinuses and a refreshment for my soul.
One day while we were shopping at the Walmart in Billings, my Mom struck up a conversation with a woman who worked there and was helping us. My Mom mentioned I had just relocated to Montana to take a job without knowing anyone in the state. The store employee looked at me with wide eyes filled with a mixture of awe and unbelief. “Wow,” she breathed. “You’re brave.”
It was the first time in my lifetime that anyone had called me “brave”. Though I didn’t know anyone in that region, intimidation wasn’t a factor because I knew this was where God wanted me to be. My pastor, church family, and Mom had prayed over me. I was backed by the faith of my community and felt God’s care.
When we trust fully in the Lord and rest in Him as our Protector, we can live with fearless hearts and make bold, brave decisions.
"When we trust fully in the Lord and rest in Him as our Protector, we can live with fearless hearts and make bold, brave decisions."
After a week, my mom returned home. Before leaving, she reminded me to pray these words every day: “God be with me.” It was her gift she believed would keep me focused on God and covered by Him. As I prayed that prayer, I saw how God kept His promise to stay by my side. God always promises to be with us when we make a move of faith.
"God always promises to be with us when we make a move of faith."
He was with me on my story assignments that required driving many miles through narrow roadways bordered by majestic mountains. He was with me when I traveled on gravel while all my eyes could see were flat, open fields. God was with me as I met the people of Montana, many who were my interview subjects for the newspaper. He was with me every day in every way.
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (ESV).
Most miraculously, God took the fear out of me. The Word came alive as I saw the fulfillment of the Lord’s promises displayed in front of me. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NLT)
God gave me His perfect peace while I was living and working where He called me to be.
"God gave me His perfect peace while I was living and working where He called me to be."
One of my favorite people in Montana was my sweet neighbor who had two elementary age children. They made Christmas cookies for me that December and she prayed for me before I took a one-way flight home to Maryland after a few marvelous months in Big Sky Country.
My time in Montana was filled with memorable moments, good food, great people, beautiful surroundings, an abundance of snow, and life lessons I still carry with me. A song by Casting Crowns came out that Christmas in 2012 called “God is With Us”, and whenever I hear it, I’m reminded of my time in Montana and all the ways God was with me. I’d love to end by quoting some of its lyrics. I pray you’ll smile, just like I did, and realize it is God who makes us brave.
“I feel compelled to tell all who will listen
That peace on earth is not so out of reach.
If we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness,
He has come to save, He is all of these.
Love is raining down on the world tonight.
There's a presence here I can tell.
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel.”
– Casting Crowns, God is With Us
"I pray you’ll smile, just like I did, and realize it is God who makes us brave."
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story. And by the way...
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About Alexis
Alexis A. Goring is an author, blogger, editor, photographer, trained journalist, and total foodie. She specializes in Contemporary Christian Romance (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction). Her first devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, was published in April 2020. Alexis hopes that her life’s work will lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them about the God who loves humankind with all of His heart. When she’s not sharing words that inspire and encourage the heart, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something tasty, or in a café or restaurant, either dining solo or sharing a meal with loved ones.
Connect more with Alexis on her website, as well as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads. You can also follow her blogs "God is Love" and "On My Heart".
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