Good morning…
This sacred weekend, thirteen of us went on Northside’s first Women’s Retreat since COVID. The Spirit created a very eclectic guest list, thirteen fascinating women who said “Yes” to getting away with God. From different facets of my life, I knew every woman, but they did not know each other.
One was from my Wednesday night class.
Two were from my Thursday morning class.
Two were from our monthly Sunday afternoon group.
One attends our therapeutic community group at PAWkids.
Another was the mother of a friend in our Wednesday night class.
One, my partner in leading our women’s ministry, invited her mother-in-law to join us.
One, from my Wednesday afternoon group, has traveled through Israel with Steve and me.
Another, from our old Friday group, volunteered in our after-school enrichment program at PAWkids.
Two have been in our Northside’s Writer’s Group, a tight-knit group which has met regularly since 2008.
One, a longtime Northside member, share closely with me her daughter’s five year battle with childhood cancer.
Over many years, I have loved these diverse women, but, gathering on this weekend, they hardly knew each other. Arriving at the Heritage Retreat Center on Friday around 3:00 pm, they were mostly strangers. Brave, vulnerable strangers.
We thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous grounds. We settled into new, well-appointed cottages. We introduced ourselves, one-on-one and in the group. We shared delicious meals and meaningful conversations. Through symbols, Scriptures, and seven sessions of learning, we tapped the power of Christ living in us. We stirred up and freely shared the life-giving gifts of God. We each enjoyed a transformational encounter, with God, our true selves and each other.
They started Friday as strangers. On Sunday, we returned home empowered, as deeply bonded friends.
These God-chosen lives all around— what splendid friends they make! (Psalm 16:3, MSG).
…Sue…
