What happens when you mix a long weekend, the Smoky Mountains and four women together? Not only is there a union of minds, but the heart and soul quickly follow in the opening up of our deepest parts. And when a trip to the mountains turns into this beautiful connection of heart, soul and mind, you experience retreat in its purest form.
A retreat happens when stepping away makes room for real life to fill in the gaps. The cracks that life brings when heartache and despair hit, blend into a seamless whole with the gift of retreat. Three days with three amazing women allowed the loose ends of life to temporarily dissipate. A new space opened up for the connection of hearts to grow. The stepping away from ordinary created a space for extraordinary to take place.
[Tweet “Retreat happens when stepping away makes room for real life to fill in the gaps.”]
The gift of retreat happens when friendships are given the chance to grow outside of the busyness of everyday life. Filling a weekend with laughter, fun and food creates a sense of belonging. But it is when God takes a love of writing and love of Him as a starting point and expands it, the gift of learning steps in. Beautiful lessons of faith spoke new life into me. Lessons that I didn’t know I needed, but ones that God poured out through three women.
I learned….
Pouring into others creates an abundance that you can then pour out as an overflow into others lives.
Loving and laughing is medicine for the soul.
When deep calls to deep, closed chapters of our lives crack open slightly to allow for healing. Secrets have a chance to escape to a safe place of understanding.
The slow recognition of “Me too” is prompted when God is invited into the center of every conversation.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20
The retreat weekend was God’s amazing blessing to four women who knew each other better online, but made space to connect deeply in real life.
How do you make space in your ordinary for a retreat? What does this look like for you?
Please join me in sharing some love with my three amazing friends, Patti, Debbie and Holly. Here are the links to their blogging homes. If you stop by, tell them I said “hi”!
Patti Krank @ Old Things New
Debbie Kitterman @ Dare 2 Hear
Holly Barrett @ Reclaiming a Redeemed Life
May you all find the space for retreat in your lives and find blessings in the stepping away.
Blessings of grace along the way!
Linking with Lisha @GiveMeGrace
Mary I was right there with you girls reading this. So beautiful and I could retreat there. I need that right now.
I missed the Declare conference I had signed up for early this year. It was last week and I was so looking forward to seeing friends and hearing all about the theme “presence” this year, but we lost a family member and it was 6 hours away so I could not even go for part of a day. God has other plans sometime, but this girl needs a retreat.
Enjoyed your pictures and thoughts this morning. Blessings.
So glad you were able to get away and retreat with other sisters in Christ. This is beautiful: “The slow recognition of “Me too” is prompted when God is invited into the center of every conversation.” Yes. Thanks for sharing, Mary.
Thank you Lisa! The blessing of friends is only made better when God is right there in the middle. I was blessed by the time together and the way God showed up to teach, affirm and building into each of us. It is such a treat having you here Lisa! Thank you!
I’m glad to hear you’ve had that retreat with these amazing people.
We all do need a break and a soul reboot so to speak.
Thank you Lux! We do all need that chance to reset. I am blessed and pray others will have this opportunity in the future. Thanks for stopping by!
There truly is something that God does when we gather with other believers that is too amazing for words and yet you’ve been able, as you’ve said, Mary, to let that overflow in words that encourage us! Thanks so much for your continued joy in the Lord that is expressed in all you do and say each week here in this “passage of grace!” I love seeing your smiling face among these godly friends and knowing we were near those same quiet streams recently warms my heart. God is so good! Love ya!
It is beyond words especially when God is invited into the middle to join the conversation. It’s just like when I had the chance to meet you this summer. I just wish we had more time together. Thank you for blessing me with your words and for cheering me on. I am blessed that God crossed our paths and continues to do so. Sending lots of love and hugs!
How wonderful, Mary! I’m so glad you had the opportunity to connect in real life!
It was a wonderful weekend and I highly recommend this to everyone! 🙂 Praying that some day we can meet in person too. Here’s to an amazing week!
I’m envious, in a way that says how happy I am for you and for all of you to have connected in that space of a retreat! I’ve only met these woman online, however know they would be one’s I would be so blessed to hang with for even just coffee, including yourself!
I would love nothing more than to connect with every member of this online community in real life. I can just imagine the beautiful conversations we would share. And I love coffee!!! You bless me every time you stop by and you always encourage me so well. Thank you.
Beautiful, Mary! So glad you were able to retreat from the normal schedule of life for a few days! Blessings!
Thank you Julie! You have had quite a week yourself. I hope you had some sweet connections on your RAGBRAI ride. Blessings!
What an inviting photo and post! Looks like you ladies had a wonderful time of refreshing and restoration! Reminds me of this great quote by C.S. Lewis: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” Many blessings to each of you!
That is one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes. That is exactly what the weekend was like. There is nothing better than meeting in real life and making deep heart and soul connections. Thank you for being here, Beth! What a blessing you are!
Mary,
The only question I have is…next time, can I come?? I think my heart could use a spiritual retreat!! So glad you enjoyed your time together. I “know” Holly, but will have to check out the other ladies. Looks like you had a wonderful time of sisterhood!
Blessings,
Bev
What a treat it would be for you to join us at the table! We almost had that real life meeting Bev, last October. I know that the future awaits the chance to meet in real life. Please go find my friends at their online homes. I know you will love them as I do. Thank you for being here! Blessings dear friend!
What a sweet table full of beautiful! Debbie is the only one I haven’t read yet, and will be rectifying that soon.
Did you notice, Mary, how you and Lisha are both leading us to let grace and graceful living fill the cracks in our soul? Such a Sunday message!
Lisha and I are both on this grace journey and it is one that fills in the gaps just when we need it. I love real life meetings that allow our hearts to open a little wider and share our stories in a safe and loving environment. I pray you have many of these meetings in your own life. Please know you are always welcome around my table and I know my friends would love to have you join us.
Love that you got to connect. Sounds like a great time!
It was a beautiful time of laughter, love and friendship. There is something so special and personal about retreat and the people who gather together. Sure would love for this kind of stepping away to happen with you someday. Sending you love and hugs!
Such a beautiful post! It makes me long to be back in the cabin laughing and sharing with each other again. God knew exactly what He was doing when He had all our paths cross. I love you, and your heart Mary! So excited for the next hope-filled brave thing coming your way ?
My favorite part is how God ordained this weekend for the four of us to be together and then showed up in every nook and cranny. I stand in awe at how our stories connected, spoke to each of us and taught us more about ourselves and each other. You are a beautiful blessing, Debbie, and your heart for leaning in and building up is a gift. Love you and miss you!