Today we wrap our retreat. We’ve done the laundry, packed the bags, and consulted the rules for checkout. We’ve talked about snacks to take in the car, planned our route, and decided to drive all the way home. We are ready.
On our walk, we reflected on our retreat.
Relaxing
Inspiring
Sweet
Refreshing
#4wordreflection
One generation commends your works to another;
Psalm 145:4-7
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
On our retreat, we saw God everywhere in so many ways –
We saw His love in the vast expanse of the sea, His power in the roar of the waves –
We heard Him in the call of the birds –
We experienced His majesty and beauty in the sunsets!
We saw Him in the smiles of HIs people –
We heard God in the echoes of prayers and hymns at church –
We experienced His holiness in the liturgy and written prayers!
We saw God in the eyes of our friends here-
We heard Him in their conversation, laughter –
We experienced His joy in our friendship!
We saw God in the words of worship as we read and prayed each morning –
We heard Him in the melodies we sang together –
We experienced His comfort, compassion in our tears of grief!
We are looking forward to the next several weeks –
Family & friends
We can’t wait to hug our grands!
Dinner with our sons, their wives, and the littles is just around the corner –
We will celebrate birthdays this month –
Houseguests are on the horizon –
We have a double date with dear friends too!
Spiritual goals
We are asking God to teach us more about His love. These questions stick in my mind –
- What enemy am I consistently praying for?
- How can I purify my motives?
- In what ways can I concretely be light and salt in my sphere of influence?
- What can I do to help the vulnerable, the poor, the marginalized?
“How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.
Annie Dillard, The Writing Life
What we do with this hour and that one is what we are doing.”
Story
It is in sharing our stories we find meaning and purpose in life!
As we have watched the tide ebb and flow of the tide this month, we are reminded that we are a small part of a larger story – participating in God’s big story, His redemptive plan. God speaks His story into our lives, teaching us as we read His word, talk with Him in prayer, and fellowship with like-minded believers.
This month away, this pause was our intentional practice to listen well and reflect on His work in our lives.
Living artfully, therefore, might require something as simple as pausing. Some people are incapable of being arrested by things because they are always on the move. A common symptom of modern life is that there is no time for thought or even for letting impressions of a day sink in. Yet it is only when the world enters the heart that it can be made into soul. The vessel in which soul-making takes place is an inner container scooped out by reflection and wonder. … a period of non-doing that is essential nourishment to the soul.
~T. Moore
Check out last year’s post on Living Artfully!
