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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
Mandy Scarr
Mandy is a lover of deep relationships, theological discussions, and peanut butter. She seek to share with women of the freedom she walks in because of her relationship with Jesus. She and her husband live in the beautiful suburbs of Washington, D.C. Connect with Mandy further at www.mandyscarr.com, on Facebook, and Twitter (@mandyscarr).
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