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Time to Retreat

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Once a year I make it a priority to steal away for a weekend with the Lover of my soul. And just last weekend was that time.

Years ago I had a mentor tell me to take a personal retreat on an annual basis. At first it seemed silly, and actually quite unrealistic considering the stage of life I was in, but in time, I realized how much my soul longed for it. And so I took my first spiritual retreat. Just me, Jesus, His Word, a journal, and some yummy tea and treats. At that time I stole away to a cabin that a friend so generously allowed for me to retreat to. It was beautiful. He spoke to me in that cabin, He gave me peace in that cabin, He loved me well in that cabin.

Since that very first retreat, I have made taking a spiritual retreat a priority. I have taken time with my King each year, doing an inventory, checking my heart against His Word, listening to His whispers, and praying fiercely face-first on the floor.  He never fails to rock my world in our time together. It is usually one of the highlights of my year.

As time has gone by and responsibilities have been added to the new stages of my life, stealing away for alone time for 48 hours has become more and more difficult. This last year, I put off my retreat, saying I’d make time for it later, ‘when things slowed down’. As the months went on, I longed for my retreat time with Him, but the busyness of life got in the way. And that is when I felt it: pure spiritual exhaustion.

Keeping up with this fast paced life had led me to drink from an empty cup. Yes, I had been squeezing quiet times into my day {emphasis on squeezing in}—but those early morning moments weren’t the kind of time with my King that made me overflow with the spiritual energy I normally get from Him. I was rushed, I was distracted, I was frazzled. And my writing? It started to come from a place of obligation, not a place of overflow.

Last weekend I decided that it was time, time for me to retreat with my King–no more excuses.

He rescued me in those 48 hours alone with Him. He brought me back to the roots of grace, the beginning of faith. He traded in my anxiety and distractedness for peace and joy. He listened, and He spoke. He reminded me of why I write, why I love, and what I’m called to. He reminded me that I am, only because He is the great I AM.

And so, I wondered, sweet writing friends, when was the last time you gave Him the opportunity to perform a deep heart-check? When’s the last time you truly stole away to deeply compare your heart to His Word? When’s the last time you had good solid alone time with your King?

I know this life we live can be busy and fast-paced. I know we can put it off, put Him off until things ‘slow down’. But what if you ask Him to make a way? Ask Him to give you 6, 12, 24, or even 48 hours alone with Him. Give Him the chance to open up the opportunity for alone time with you. Because sisters, I can guarantee He wants that alone time with you so much more than you want that alone time with Him.

By, Mandy Scarr

Comments

  1. Mandy, my mama heart would love nothing more than 48 hours alone with my sweet Jesus! Will be praying for someone to offer to watch my toddler so I can have that opportunity without burdening my family 🙂 (and totally staying up late tomorrow to snag an Allume ticket! woot woot! contributor meet up needs to happen this year!)

    • Crystal,
      I just said some prayers that someone will give you some time alone with Christ as well! I know once my babe comes, I won’t be able to do this as easily…so I soaked it up–and may just have to have another retreat before the babe comes in August. Woohoo for Allume tickets on sale–sadly I am probably not going to make it–unless it’s a last minute thing and I can purchase a ticket from someone later. With a newborn and being that it’s now in SC instead of a quick drive away, I’m not sure I can make it happen–which truly truly saddens my heart. I’ll keep you posted 😉

  2. I just did this! I made the 12-hour drive to see my parents, and I decided for the whole 24 hours, coming and going, I would just pray, listen to a devotional audio book, and sing praise music. It was precious and refueled my soul. Thank you for this encouragement to keep making time for a retreat!

    • Christy,
      Thanks for sharing how you spent time with Christ. In the car is a fantastic idea! It’s so easy to listen to mindless radio and zone out–but worshipping Him is such a wonderful way to spend a long car ride! Love this point–thanks for sharing!

    • I hear you! I don’t have kids yet (one growing inside right now :)…I do realize how difficult it must be to ‘get away’–but please pray for an opportunity…maybe, just maybe, He will open a door to some alone time you didn’t expect to open. Thanks for your honest and real comment.

    • I read on another blog, recently, that when you need a spiritual retreat
      and you have young children, sometimes just taking a full 4 or 8 hours
      holed up in your bedroom with a trusted relative or husband taking care
      of the children while you “retreat”, can work. Someone even suggested
      having them bring the baby in to be nursed (if you are going that
      route). For ones so little, it often feels like their impact on our
      ability to steal away is huge, doesn’t it?

      • Love this suggestion! I will use this when the babe arrives! Thank you for sharing this idea–it doesn’t have to be a getaway to a cabin…even a mini-retreat works too!

  5. A spiritual retreat is so so good for the weary soul. Every time a read a post that encourages this among us women and mamas, it does my heart good. I’m taking my cue from Jesus, since He thought it necessary to get away and pray and breathe, it must be good for us too.

    • You’re right–even Jesus stole away to retreat with the Father. A beautiful model of what we should regularily do. Love this reminder, thank you!

  7. It’s so important to have that time. For many years, my husband has taken me to his business meeting at the beach. While he is in meetings, I can be alone with the Lord. Don’t know how I would have made it otherwise! Wonderful words of encouragement and wisdom. Thanks, Mandy!

    • Melanie,
      I’m so glad you take the opportunity to go with your husband–and you soak up that alone time with your King! Great idea for a getaway.

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