From a Word from Becky, my monthly newsletter to my readers
Dear friends,
Have you ever had a moment of feeling stuck, like you could not take the next step forward? I know I have. One such moment happened last Thursday. Let me tell you about that moment.
It was a rainy Thursday morning. I arrived ten minutes early for a meeting that I knew signified a step forward into a call in a new way. I put my minivan in park and turned off my windshield wipers. I sat for a few moments, watching the rain pour down my windshield. After a few minutes of observing the rain, I knew it was time to get out of my car and go to the meeting so I would not be late. But I could not get myself to open the door.
Yes, it was raining, and I was not looking forward to the mad dash to the door. But let’s be honest—I live in Louisiana, and it’s summer. Rain is part of our daily life right now. The stronger magnetic pull that kept me in the safety of my seat was the fear of stepping forward. I knew that once I opened my door and walked across the wet parking lot into the building, I would be actively saying “yes” to a new part of the path God was inviting me to walk. But I could not move.
I began talking to God out loud in my minivan. Are you sure this is what you are calling me to? Are you sure this is how you want me to use my voice? Amidst my questioning, I began begging God for help. Give me the courage to get out of this car. Give me the courage to enter the building and sit down at the meeting.
I felt my phone buzz. A text came through from a close friend. An out-of-the-blue text message that included the scripture Matthew 11:28-30, which reminds us that our burden is light because Jesus is yoked to us. Her text said, “A reminder for you as you go where God calls!!!! (And Me too 😂)”. I laughed. Her timing could not have been more perfect.
I told her where I was sitting and asked her to pray for me to have the courage to get out of my car and walk in. She replied, “You are not alone. All you have to do is take the next right step. Saying yes is scary, but you are not alone. 🩷🙏 It’s not you doing the heavy lifting here, it’s the Holy Spirit working through you 🙏😘.”
Feeling strength rise in me with her words, I took a deep breath and asked God for the courage I needed. I opened my minivan door, walked across the wet parking lot in the rain, entered the building, and sat down for my meeting.
And you know what? I survived.
Peace came over me as I settled into my seat. I could feel my shoulders relax as the conversation about the project continued. Energy rose in me as I began to realize that this “yes” was another way God was inviting me to use my voice to help others come to know, love, and follow Jesus. Hope increased as I looked at the two other men sitting at the table with me and understood they were two strong supports and partners in sharing God’s word with others.
Our meeting ended, and I walked back through the rain to my minivan, opened the car door, and sat back in the driver’s seat. Before on the car, I paused to thank God for what transpired. The scripture from my friend’s text came to mind again, reminding me that Jesus and I are yoked. I also thought of the disciples in the storm on the boat. They were afraid. Jesus came to them. He told them, “Take courage. It is I!” He invited Peter out of the boat to walk on water. Peter, too, was afraid—and yet, he did get out of the boat and give the walking-on-water thing a try. His fear overcame him again, and Jesus reached out his hand and yoked Peter back to him once more.
I wonder about you and your life right now. Where are you being invited to step forward, even if you feel afraid? Where do you feel stuck in your “minivan,” facing fear and needing courage? Where is Jesus inviting you to yoke yourself to him and let him do the heavy lifting to help you move forward?
I encourage you to name whatever it is directly to Jesus. Tell him about your fear. Share your desire to say yes, even if you doubt. Reach out to friends and ask for prayers to increase your courage. Return the favor to them tenfold to increase their courage to say “yes” to what you see God asking them.
Know that I will be praying for you. Please pray for continued courage for me, too. I’ll need it as I stand in front of the camera for Catholic Life TV to record videos on the interior life to be shared with all of you. I know God will meet us in our fear—and maybe, just maybe, God will move through an unexpected text from a friend who will help you take the step forward!
Peace,
Becky
Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
Becky Eldredge
July 24, 2025