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Retreat

My husband and I are the proud parents of seven children. Much of their lives they were homeschooled. Eventually, there came a season when I burned out. For a long time I didn’t understand what was wrong. Everything seemed good. But if things were so good, why was I crying on the inside?

During this bumpy season, I happened to be reading a wonderful book about spiritual disciplines. The author shared that twice a year he retreated to a mountain cabin to go deep with the Lord. I dropped the book on the table before me. I felt betrayed by the Lord. Did God really call people to come away with Him? Then I burst into tears.

So very much for so very long I had wanted to go away with the Lord. I cried out to Him. He heard me, and through my husband, helped me. I still had much responsibility, very little money, and no place to go, but when I shared my heart and these practicalities with my husband, he helped me get creative.

My first spiritual retreat was twenty-four hours with one of my best friends. We were given permission to stay in the home of extended family members (who were out of town). We took some crafts to enjoy and our list of prayer requests. We shared deeply and met deeply with the Lord. I had not been that refreshed in a long time. This once-a-year treat became a tradition. The “sustained longing” testimony shared on day seven of this Bible plan happened on of one our latest spiritual retreats together.

Today I take regular spiritual retreats by myself, as well as with my husband, children, and close friends. I even plan spiritual retreats for small groups. Deep happens when we prioritize coming to meet with the Lord. He meets us there!

Activate

· Ask the Lord if He is calling you to come away with Him, either alone or with someone close to you. Ask the Lord to help you think creatively about how, where, when, and for how long. He will also help you be thoughtful of the needs of those briefly left behind as you come away.

· Share this desire with those you love most and enlist their help.

· Next consider the why. A spiritual retreat is different from a vacation. Resting before the Lord is certainly important, but seeking Him deeply may also include extended prayer, reflection, goal setting, seeking next steps, journaling, quiet listening, or authentic worship. Ask the Lord to reveal the purpose of the retreat. Gather the materials that you will need to seek Him with all your heart.

· Whether away alone or with others, give yourself fully to the Lord: Seek spiritual intimacy. Allow spiritual hunger to rise. Set aside media distractions so you can listen well. Let this be an opportunity to experience the Lord in fresh ways. Refuse to resist His expressed love or direction. Take time to look Him fully in the face without looking way. Practice sustained longing. And at the end of the retreat remain for just a little longer to thank Him for what He has said and done. He is such a wonderful Counselor and friend.