Many of you know that I went on a church retreat this past weekend. I left Saturday morning and returned home at 4pm on Sunday. I have had several people ask me how my weekend went and there are just no words to describe it. It was amazing and I am so glad I went. But, that doesn’t even begin to describe what the weekend meant to me.
I missed my kids and husband like crazy but I came home with a much greater appreciation and love for them. I am a different person than I was just 3 days ago. I know that sounds hokey but it is so very true. I am forever changed by a mere 30 hours. The thing is, what happened there is beyond anything that I could have ever expected. I went in with no expectations. We were told that there may be a “moment” that you just “get it”. Well, I sat there for most of the first day thinking… wow, this is great and the experience is awesome but I have not had any “moments”.
That was until a very special woman told her story. She doesn’t know it, has no possible way of knowing even, how much her testimony of faith (her witness) has changed my life. Her courage and strength will be forever remembered by me. I will always have a special place in my heart for her and what she has done for me simply by sharing her own experiences and I hope we can be lifelong friends. I know for me, she will always be a friend in my mind.
Every person there had a different “moment”. I don’t know that everyone, or even anyone, else walked away with the same feeling of the Holy Spirit as I did. What I can tell you is that I hope they did. I hope they all walked away from that weekend with a new appreciation and love for our Lord. I hope they all walked away from that weekend feeling the love of our Lord in their lives and the Holy Spirit guiding them in new ways. I certainly do.
Mike jokingly said last night “where is my wife?”. I truly am a changed woman, a changed Christian, a changed mother, daughter, sister, and wife. I am so grateful for the opportunity given to me and only hope to continue the process and journey to get to know our Lord better.
I haven’t been to a retreat in several years but I know exactly what you mean. They are the best and they do change our lives.
It is not hookey at all. So glad that you went.
I’ll bet you touched her life, too!
I can only hope I have touched her life a fraction of what she has mine. 🙂
How wonderful. It’s always great when you really feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. He’s always there, I know that,
but sometimes we let ourselves get too caught up with the things that need to be done in this world to really appreciate and feel his presence.
So glad you had such an amazing experience. I’m going to a woman’s conference next month and can NOT wait.
I love that feeling… How wonderful!!!
Unfortunately for me… it never sticks. I always need reminders.. I always need another “aha moment”…
I think that is true for most people. For me, I am going to make changes to ensure I keep those reminders close. I am going to start reading the bible more, praying more, and being more present in church activities. I refuse to let this moment slip away from me. I am going to post reminders of scripture over my sink, my fridge, my mirror, etc.
I will slip from time to time. That is human nature, right? But, I am going to make sure I have an open door to come back each time by leaving little trails to those doors.