As you all know, this past weekend I was on our church’s women’s retreat. We arrived Friday evening, had an intensive Saturday studying Haggai, and left Sunday morning in time to get back to church in the city.
The location was a beach resort about 90 minutes outside of Chicago, almost right on the Illinois/Wisconsin line, and next to chilly and beautiful lake Michigan. I loved looking out the window and seeing no buildings in sight. Just the lake, some trees, the sky.
During the free time Saturday afternoon, I sat in a sunny spot in the lobby area of the hotel, armed with a Bible, a journal, and a guitar. I started writing a new song, I meditated. I talked and cried with my friend Carrie, and ended up with racoon-like mascara circles shadowing my eyes. I love a friend that I can cry with.
We took a walk on the beach and she tried to teach me how to skip stones.
Carrie’s tehnique was smooth, effective, and photogenic.
I, on the other hand . . .
. . . failed.
I think I’ll leave all sport-like endeavors to her after this.
What to say about this weekend? I feel like God was speaking to me quietly. Not with flashes of insight, zapping across my mental sky, illuminating everything with a jolt–but instead, with small rays, glowing briefly, that shone into the corners of my life, pointing to this, or that. And these little lessons came from the stories of other women.
Through Shandra’s testimony Saturday morning, I was reminded to pray, pray, pray. About everything, with anyone and everyone, and at any time. Through Traci’s insight into motherhood, I heard the same voice saying: pray without ceasing. I want days spent in constant, sweet dialogue with God. I put this into practice Friday, when Carrie, Shandra, Sarah and I were setting up the sound system and getting ready to lead the worship music that evening; the sound system started malfunctioning. As soon as all of us were singing, Carrie’s mic and guitar and my mic would cut out. We checked connections, changed the guitar cable–but to no avail. We had no idea how to resolve this, so we prayed. “Lord, you know we’re here to worship you. We’re not sure how to fix this problem, but we ask you to take care of it so that there are no distractions during this weekend that might draw our attention away from praising you.” We had no further technical difficulties.
From Colleen, who was our speaker for the weekend, I was reminded that our purpose on earth is to build a temple for God. Not a physical structure, but one made of living stones. Out of people–we are the living stones. We are God’s temple, and that is our life’s work. I had to ask myself–am I giving over all aspects of my life to this purpose? Am I actively giving over my job, my marriage, my blogging, my creativity, as tools for God to use?
From Haggai, though this man lived over 2,000 years ago, I was reminded that when I live life for myself, I’m investing in a purse with holes. Haggai 7:5-6 says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” If my goal in life is my own happiness, my own prosperity, my own comfort, my own house, and I conserve what I have to build my own little corner of the world, not only will the return be smaller than what I may hope for, but it will be wasted. From an eternal perpsective, I gain nothing: I’m throwing my resources into something fleeting. A purse with holes. It’s when I invest in God and his calling to love and serve people that my return is multiplied. When I invest my ‘riches’ in this world into God and people, when I give generously of my money and time and energy and self–then the return is richer than I could have imagined.
From Hannah, I was reminded that we either live by fear or by faith. That when we have the faith to surrender to God and live according to his plan, he blesses us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. That moment of releasing our plans and praying the prayer that never fails–“Thy will be done”–it’s scary. But so worth it.
From Jessica, I was reminded how important it is to be vulnerable, to be real with other women–and especially with my sisters in Christ, who are my family. The vulnerability and openness of one woman can be enough to create a safe place for others to share–but someone has to take that first step.
There were plenty of lighthearted moments–we laughed, talked, watched “Flight of the Concords,” drank glasses of wine in our PJ’s, ate chocolate and pretzels from a huge assortment of snack food, and had a shortlived campfire–but my favorite times were the moments of learning, of listening, of feeling the wisdom of other women sink into the ground of my heart and take root.
This sounds like such a beautiful experience, Jenna and I’m so glad you shared it with us! I love how you described what each person taught you. We all learn so much from each other and from the world around us and you really showed that through this post!
Sounds like a rich and wonderful weekend!
How lovely. thanks for sharing!
This was beautiful Jenna. So inspiring and uplifting to read. Although you didn’t know it I truly needed to hear these words. Blessings for staying on your path of sharing your own vulnerability so that it may help others with their own and to do the same.
Hi Barbara! I’m so glad that these words meant something to you. I hope you’re doing well!!
Jenna, this is so beautiful. It sounds like a great weekend.
Thanks Kate–it was. I can’t believe I have to wait 18 months for the next retreat! Ay ay ay.
I have such a peaceful feeling after reading this. Amen. Pray without ceasing. Be a living stone in God’s temple. His will be done. All things I needed a reminder for. Loved this blog, and the pictures! Very well written. Just beautiful.
amazing weekend!
When women come together, everything is possible!!!
God bless you
Hi!!
I am so glad you loved the mushrooms!! I keep making them for lunch because they are so much goodness for so little work – and they stick with you. Thanks for the shout out, I really appreciate it!!!
Meredith
Ah… so beautiful, Jenna. Loved reading this.
jenna, sounds like a fantastic time. women’s retreats, as cheesy as i used to think they were, are such amazing time of growth with God and each other. thanks for sharing it with us!
Hi Jenna, This is my first time commenting and I was compelled to do so because this post was just amazing. It is so good to see the Lord blessing you and revealing Himself to you. This retreat sounds just wonderful! I love what you learned from Hannah “we either live by fear or by faith”. This is so true!!
Thanks for commenting, Ayra! It’s truly wonderful to receive this kind of revelation, and it’s a privilege to share it with you all here!
What an amazing weekend you had. It sounds like your spiritual cup was truly filled. Your pictures are beautiful as well!
Mmm. A sense of peace pervades this whole post. Thanks, Kiddo.
Wow, this sounds like an incredible retreat. I always love when I find out a little more about myself during moments like this. What a beautiful place too!
Jenna, your musings were wonderful and uplifting. That’s the beauty of coming together … you leave with more than you came with … Thank you.
I loved the musical miracle, too!
Your retreat sounds like it was lovely. Your photos are stunning…and you’re right….her technique was very photogenic!
Thanks for sharing your weekend…there are lessons in there for all of us. And friends that you can cry with? They are priceless.
Amen to that!
Beautiful. I want to go to a women’s retreat now. In the mean time, I’ll pray more. I’ve been thinking about prayer a lot lately and this post just reinforces that idea all the more.