Good morning…
I spent much of my Mother’s Day afternoon assembling and delivering welcome bags for today’s ISP (Ignatian Spirituality Project) retreat at the Ignatius House Retreat Center. Now, on this special morning, fifteen women recovering from homelessness and addiction will arrive at the MARTA station and be transported to Ignatius House by kind volunteers.
Fifteen of you generously offered to donate items for the bags, bags designed to welcome women into their private rooms for this overnight retreat. Journals and pens. Soft socks and gum. Snacks and Scripture cards. Toiletries and nail polish. Candy and notes of encouragement. Beautiful bags and homemade baked goods. With money donated for extra items, I purchased little white guardian angels and beaded bracelets for each woman, treasures tucked into their own small gift bags. I prayed over each item as I placed them in the bags, hoping to bring to life the tangible, timeless love of God.
Pampered. Pampered and important. I pray that each woman receiving these bags this morning feels pampered and important, seen and supported by the God who loves us all. Lavishly. Unconditionally. All day and all night.
While on retreat, may these vulnerable women experience the strength of Psalm 139: 17-18 (VOICE).
Your thoughts and plans are treasures to me, O God! I cherish each and every one of them!
How grand in scope! How many in number!
If I could count each one of them, they would be more than all the grains of sand on earth. Their number is inconceivable!
Even when I wake up, I am still near to You.
…Sue…
P.S. This ISP retreat is offered free of charge to the courageous women attending. If you feel drawn to help offset the cost for food, lodging, and programming materials, please donate directly to Ignatius House through this private link: https://ignatiushouseretreatcenter-bloom.kindful.com/?campaign=1361894
P.S.S. To understand the ISP retreat experience more fully, please enjoy the creative video below.
