John 4:14 "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."
This last weekend was whirlwind romance. It wasn't with my hubby though, who was at home puking, or my kids, one of whom was also puking. And it wasn't quite like the sacred solitude's that I've had in the past because 250+ women were there too. It was Women's retreat 2011, baby, and the romance was with my Savior! Those of you with kids understand how your romantic get-a-ways without kids can be, it it's for one overnight. You've got to cut to the chase a lot of times, and that can be hard. With God though, who knows the circumstances ahead, it's doable. I didn't know that I'd be going to retreat late and leaving early, but God did, and He met me right where I was and gave me exactly what I needed. So, this entry isn't a true look at the Salem Heights women's retreat 2011, but just a quick glimpse at how God met my need quickly.
Usually at retreat I fight with myself until the last session, where I finally fling out my pride and God has the freedom to work in my heart, and it usually blows my mind how the verses that I've been mulling over throughout the last year come together to show me how big God is, how little I am, how in control He is, and what the next step for me is in coming closer to looking like Jesus. Usually God has shown me how to tweak what I'm doing to wife better, parent better, do my job better, how to love better, and how it'll be impossible to do that in my own strength. But usually it does take all weekend to break down my barriers.
This weekend was fast forwarded. I walked in the Saturday morning session just as worship was starting. Immediately I looked over at a friend and my heart melted. I knew she was in one of those times when life seems out of control and all you can do is hang on and trust God. I knew she was doing it, that life was raw, and I immediately started crying. BIG wall, BROKEN down. God is in control. Check.
I don't even remember where my heart went with the rest of the session or the evening. I declared to another friend God's truth in the afternoon, and I spent time in the John study later on studying the of Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. I turned on my phone right before breakfast and saw a text that the hubby and my healthy son had had a rough night. I called home and just knew I needed to get myself on home. I also knew in my heart that I had gotten everything out of retreat that I needed. My heart was satisfied. What did I need to change?
The change I needed to make, was to take every DAY captive and to make a difference in lives that include my husband, children, the 3 sweet girls that I watch every day, and people who are in my circle of influence. I felt convicted that I was just living for bed time. Living for the time when I could relax, put my feet up, and eat whatever I wanted. Refer to the Jeremiah verse above. That verse came up at a pervious sacred solitude and was so convicting. Guess what! It still is!! Life's SO empty when you're chasing after stuff that isn't a relationship with God. I've been chasing after God, and have learned lessons, but . . . who cares if I'm LIVING for the moment when I can just think about myself.
Jesus satisfies (see John verse above). I've experienced this before, and am thankful for God's patience with me and grace that allows me to experience it again, and forever.
If anyone reads this who went to retreat, I'd love to hear what God taught you at retreat, or has been teaching you lately in your life and times with Him!!!
