A big anniversary

It's coming up on 2 years now since I left P&G to join a small, somewhat maverick little company called Seek (http://www.seekresearch.com). After 12 years of comfort, cash and status, I was wrestling with God about whether it was time for me to take a big step of faith and try something new.

A move like this was no small change.

I'd be walking away from years of credibility I had worked hard to build. A large crowd of very diverse friends and inspiring, motivating co-workers -- truly many of the best and brightest people I had ever known or had the honor to work alongside and learn from. A FAT paycheck and very comfortable pile of stock options that would certainly pay for college tuition for the kids, nice vacations and maybe, someday a house a the beach.

But, I felt and heard God calling me out. Asking me to take a risk in His name...

One day, I was driving to work, and praying about whether to accept the job offer I had from Seek, or stay at P&G. I had told the folks at P&G that I was considering leaving, and they were being so amazing and gracious and accommodating. They had asked me to consider "what did I really want" -- and I believe they had every intention of trying to deliver on whatever my answer was. So many amazing mentors and coaches there knew me very well, and wanted the best for me always.

And, on that fateful drive down River Road, God gave me a crystal clear vision that I've not ever really written down. It's about time I did...

Here goes...

A small lamb is standing in a desert. A kind shepherd is standing next to the lamb. The lamb is tentative, looking to the right and to the left -- evidently trying to decide which way to go.

To the right, a beautiful and bountiful "feast" is awaiting the lamb. Fresh fruits, flowers -- all of the lamb's favorites...prepared with utmost care, and clearly highly catered to the lamb. Every piece of the "feast" was healthy and good.

To the left, a gently sloping hill of of sand with those ripples you always see. Beyond the slope is out of view.

The lamb looks up with question's in her eyes to the kind shepherd. (Do you know where this is going yet?)

He gently nudges her to the left.

"Why?" she asks (yes, in my vision, the lamb could talk). "The feast over to the right has been carefully prepared by those who love me so much. It is healthy and bountiful and beautiful."

He again gently nudges her to the left. "Child, you can't see what's over that hill. But, I can. Do you trust me that it's even better?"

I called the folks at Seek that afternoon and said "I'm in!"

Over the past two years, I can tell you that there have been days/weeks where I felt like I was stuck in one of those ripples in the sand...but occasionally, I think I'm seeing a few glimpses of what's beyond that gentle slope. I've never looked back, and I'm amazed how God has been faithful to care and provide for us, how much I've grown, how much deeper my faith has become, and how much sheer joy and fun have come into my life in the past 2 years.

I do feel like He's showing me, step by step, a little more each day about what might be over that hill, and I'm so grateful to be along for the ride!

So, which direction are you heading? Are you taking the safe, easy route, or are you ready to follow Him, even if it means going the opposite way than what looks logical?