His Spirit Upon Us: Retreat Part 3

When I began this series of posts about the women’s retreat, I wanted to share how God unfolded amazing things in order. You know, with chronologically accuracy.

Spirit reminded me God’s timing is not linear. This explains my difficulty of remembering things in exact order:

As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:4-5).

Here, Jesus tells us the division of time is either day or night rather than specific hours. For we who are privileged with breath, this is the time of God’s invitation to do His works while we walk in His light. For when we join Him in Heaven, the toil will be behind us. Praise, worship and His glory with reign forever and ever.

A sobering thought … and guidance for me to spare you every little detail of the weekend.

Where did God work at the retreat?

Everywhere. In all things. In all time. I will do my best to bring His highlights to these posts.

A friend I have known since Jackson was in kindergarten with her son came to this retreat. Christa had never been to a women’s retreat before. If she were writing this, she would tell you she just doesn’t go places either where she doesn’t know anybody.

God arranged her commitment to attend this retreat. He made provisions and connected her with sisters in the faith to travel with. By my read of Heaven, Our Mighty God wanted Christa there.

I was blessed to spend some one-on-one time with her, as we both like to walk.

Perhaps she doesn’t know this, but Christa ministered to me. With obvious joy in her heart, she repeated how she was having a great time. Christa shared her observation of the older women who did not hold back their love for the Lord in their dancing, joking and love of others.

Thank you, Christa, for drawing my eyes to older faith mentors who provide a model for me in how to grow old graciously with Jesus.

The location of the retreat is unique in that the line between PA and Maryland runs right through it. Here we are with one foot in Pennsylvania and one in Maryland.

Then, God Led us to meet Judy. She was waiting for others to walk with, but it was Christa and I who showed up.

I may not know all of God’s plans for connecting Christa and me with Judy, but it was a gift to me to walk with TWO sisters, a double blessing if you will.

Annette and Stacey introduced the talent show Saturday night, where all sixty (or so) of us were gathered.
Courageous souls who became vulnerable:
Playing bells, some for the first time

Games and skits

 

The show went on regardless of the hooting and hollering in the audience!

Singing, a joint effort:

It was a night wrapped in the unexpected fullness of joy.

The Lord your God is with you,
The Mighty One who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
In His love, He will no longer rebuke you
But will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

A joyful noise carried to Heaven on the wings of Heavenly hosts. Our Creator listened to the resound of His rejoicing.

Smiles stretched our collective aging skin.

Yet these moments were ageless, timeless, protected.

I will end here. Tomorrow’s retreat post is the last and most difficult to write.

~~~

Welcome, all! Have you experienced the joy of unity with other brothers and sisters in Christ? I would love to hear about it.

If you or someone you know is looking for a retreat speaker for 2019, please feel free to email me at juliedibblespeaks@gmail.com.

Join me today for Thankful Thursday, 5 Minutes of Gratitude at 12:15 Eastern time on https://Facebook.com/jdibble4Him

If you missed it or want to check out my poetry, you can find the newest poem here https://faithhopeandpoetry.blog

Have a wonder-full day as He has made it!

In Christ,

Julie