Elizabeth Pardi is a wife, mother, writer, runner and perpetual pajama wearer. She writes from Columbus, OH where she seeks joy by learning and laughing her way through the messiness of this journey. Read more of her work at <a href="http://lovealwaysliz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lovealwaysliz.com</a>.

Elizabeth Pardi

<div class="text readable">About two and a half years ago, I took the biggest step of my life: I married a man who lived four hundred miles away from my hometown and left behind everything I knew and loved to start a life with him. I’ve never regretted it for one second. Someone asked me how I knew that marrying this man and moving for him were the right things to do. Maybe I was expected to describe an eye-opening sign from God that showed me the way. It was nothing like that, though. The truth is, I never questioned the decision. There was no novena that I said for clarity and no Bible verse that struck me like a lightning bolt. The way was simply clear for several reasons: I loved this man. I felt authentic joy and peace with him. And he wanted to get me to heaven. If I hadn’t been praying daily at the time and striving for a deeper relationship with God, I probably would’ve been more conflicted and unsure of what to do. When we are engaged in a genuine friendship with the Holy Spirit, our will beautifully aligns with his and making decisions tends to come more easily. St. Augustine once said, “Love God and do what you will.” I believe he meant that so long as our hearts are set on Christ and living in accordance with his Word, we can trust ourselves and our will.</div>