Danish theologian and philosopher Søren Kierkegaard observed, “Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.” I’ve been thinking about that concept all week.

Fifty years ago this month my wife, our one-year-old son and I moved from a community we loved to a city nearly three hours away.

I moved to Webster City, Iowa, in October 1967. Two years later I married Cindy Fisher, a Webster City native. The next summer we purchased a modest house and settled down to a life we enjoyed. Cindy worked full-time until our son was born in December 1972.

While we were living paycheck-to-paycheck, we paid our bills and enjoyed going out occasionally.

In February 1973 the radio station where I was employed was sold and two weeks later the new owner fired me. I learned years later that I was fired because I could be replaced for less money.

I found another job but it paid less than what I had been making. Now, living on only one income, we were in deep financial trouble.

That summer I began looking for a higher paying job. I had a few interviews but the jobs were not desirable.

In early December 1973 I responded to an ad that resulted in an interview which resulted in a job offer … in Sioux City.

For many reasons Cindy and I were comfortable in Webster City and didn’t want to leave, but the job appeared to be a good career move and offered a better compensation plan.

The decision to move was more difficult for Cindy. I had moved frequently as a child but she had always lived in Webster City.

After lengthy discussions Cindy said, “I’ll move on two conditions.”

“First of all,” she said, “I don’t want to cook Sunday dinner. I’ll move if we can eat out on Sundays and McDonald’s is fine with me.”

With the new job I figured we could afford a burger on Sundays. “What’s the other condition?” I asked.

Cindy continued, “When we get to Sioux City I want us to find a good church and get involved. I’m tired of being a Sunday morning Christian.”

I understood. We had been going to church as much to please her parents as for our own interests.

We agreed to her terms. I accepted the job and we began planning a move.

At 5 a.m. on Monday, January 7, 1974, I headed west on U.S. 20. I was both excited and fearful. The first two weeks in Sioux City I lived in a cheap motel but found rented housing quickly and we moved to suburban Sergeant Bluff on January 19.

Sioux City was completely new to us. The metro population was about 15 times larger than Webster City and we enjoyed its amenities as well as exploring western and northwest Iowa.

Our new neighborhood was primarily young couples with kids and Cindy was soon getting acquainted.

I loved my new job.

Finding a church in which we were comfortable took a year but when we finally found one we got involved.

Our daughter was born in 1977, we purchased a home and moved into Sioux City in 1979 and both kids did well in Sioux City schools.

After 14 years Sioux City felt like home. We left in 1988 only because of an excellent career opportunity. Saying good-bye was difficult.

Looking back I appreciate the many ways we benefited from our 1974 move. Cindy found her voice and grew immensely as a person. We made many friends. Our church experiences led to spiritual growth. My jobs in Sioux City gave me incredible growth opportunities and enough income to go out to eat every Sunday noon.

The year of 1973 was difficult for us. Looking backwards, I realize that without those difficulties, we would not have had the courage to leave our comfort zone and would have missed out on so many wonderful friendships, experiences and growth opportunities.

Some may consider all that coincidental. Looking back, I see it as God working in our lives and using those difficult circumstances to move us along to what He knew would be a better life.

We lost Cindy in January 2013. I’m still trying to understand that. However, I firmly believe Kierkegaard was right: “Life can only be understood backwards…”

Arvid Huisman can be contacted at huismaniowa@gmail.com. ©2023 by Huisman Communications.