From the moment that Aubrey and I walked into the beautiful "Pleasaunce", we were greeted by the handful of women that had planned the retreat with excitement, loving hugs, and hospitality. I could feel expectation in the air.
Over the next few hours, 43 women gathered...some knowing each other for years, others just meeting for the first time a whole group of women they'd be spending the next two days with.
Our first session began Friday night. I found out that only THREE of the women there journal as a part of their lives. That meant that 40 women were going to have hours put aside this weekend for something that would be brand new, and potentially intimidating for them. Thus began my "Okay God, it's all you" breath prayers!
Each session afterwards, on Saturday and Sunday, was utterly led by and covered by God's Spirit. Because of time, I knew that there were large portions of my notes that I needed to cut out or edit. And yet, even in that, after thinking "Hmmm, I don't think I'll say that", there were times when I still did, and later found out that that exact thing was specifically touching for one of the women. Thus began my understanding that there would be SOMETHING for EACH woman during the retreat.
At the end of the retreat, there was a time of sharing. It was during that time that it was confirmed that God met each woman where she needed it. One spoke that this weekend was about transformation for her, another about forgiveness, another -acceptance, and another about being good enough for God. Jesus touched the places in these women's hearts that He desired to bring life and healing.
There were times in the weekend (like after a blindfolded dance to "Awesome God") where afterwards I saw a real difference on the ladies' faces! They looked refreshed, awakened, and in awe of their Lord (even after kickboxing classes or our "Awakening Stretch" time!) There is no greater joy then being in a room of people alive to their Creator.
Even though I was the YOUNGEST woman there, I felt respected, encouraged, cared for by all the other women. I kept looking out over at them as I shared, thinking "ahhh God, they are BEAUTIFUL! You are in awe of THEM!"
My prayer is that each one of these women will stay intentional to the work that God began in them this past weekend. It is my prayer that as they walk in freedom, it will release freedom around them, to this hurting world. May a life of abundance in Jesus be the lives that all of us find when we seek Him with all of our hearts.
"Since I LIVE, you will also LIVE." -John 14:19