Good morning…
In the wee, quiet hours of this night, I am drawn back to our blog post from yesterday, Steve’s Message For This Week. It seems many of us can relate to the positive wisdom offered. With God, I spend time personalizing the list of biblical encouragements.
With things going well for me during this life season, I take regular time to lift up a prayer of thanks (Psalm 146:1-2). I feel healthy and whole right now, so I try to be empathetic and grieve with those who are grieving (Amos 6:4-6). Because I am in a place where I have much of what I could have ever hoped for, I seek to be “be content” rather than always wanting more (1 Tim 6:8). Grateful to be in a secure place in my life, I am humbled by the abundance of this season (1 Tim 6:17). In a place of “richness” I set my hope on God, not on worldly riches to provide continued meaning (1 Tim 6:17). I find myself in a time of plenty, so I am looking for ways to share generosity with others (1 Tim 6:18). Because I am blessed with many of the comforts life has to offer, I feel called to bless and comfort those who are not as fortunate (Luke 16:19-31).
A new insight now dawns.
For all of the life-giving reasons above, I said “yes” when I was asked to help facilitate an overnight retreat for women who are recovering from homelessness and addiction. I will grieve face to face with the grieving. We will seek contentment together. I am excited to share God’s comfort and blessing with those who are not as fortunate. The overnight retreat at the Ignatius House Retreat Center on October 11th and 12th is part of an international program called the Ignatian Spirituality Project (ISP). The recovering women, who need to be sober for at least six weeks, will be brought from their residential treatment facilities to the sacred grounds on the wooded banks of the Chattahoochee River. There we will be pampered by God as we explore together the theme of gratitude.
To gain a deeper understanding of the needs of those living with addiction and without a home, please enjoy the simple video below.
Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God’s words; if help, let it be God’s hearty help. That way, God’s bright presence will be evident in everything (1 Peter 4:7-11a, MSG).
…Sue…
P.S. One thing I offered to do for the retreat is to create personalized welcome bags to greet the fifteen women in their private rooms as they arrive. If you would like to help me fill these bags with symbols of God’s abundant love, please email me at the “Note To Sue” link below and I will share with you our wish list. If the Spirit moves you to offer a financial donation to help Ignatius House offset the cost of offering this retreat to the grateful women free of charge, please feel free to give a Gratitude Gift through our SueToYou website, labeling your donation “ISP Retreat.” I will collect our financial gifts and write one check to Ignatius House Retreat Center from our written word community.
