I’ve been home from my first ever women’s retreat for almost three full days now and finally found a few moments to share some highlights of an experience that changed my life. Now, those of you who know me in real life might not see any type of visible transformation, but I can tell you straight up that I have changed. I have long considered myself a Christian – I believe in Jesus Christ and I pray daily. But, without being really aware, I was seeking something more. I bought a Women’s Devotional Bible that I have been studying for several months now, but that’s all it really was…studying.
On Friday morning before leaving for the retreat, I wrote this: "This weekend, I’m taking a break from bag tags to attend a Christian women’s retreat with three of my awesome friends. I’m looking forward to relaxing and rejuvenating. I hope that this weekend of praise, worship and sisterhood will leave me refreshed and allow me to return home a better wife, mother, friend and businesswoman!" I had no idea that it was going to be life changing. I had to idea that I was going to be so filled and, at the same time, so drained.
This weekend, I was touched by the hand of God! No doubt about it! He touched me and without wanting to sound hokey or whatever, I physically felt His touch. Who ever thought that I would have no qualms about sitting in a room with 157 other women (154 of them complete strangers!) crying my eyes out asking God to lift me up and save me? I was so deeply moved that I quickly gave up on holding back the tears and I just let them come. I have long believed and known that God listens, but I know that I have not done such a good job of listening to Him. All I had to do was say, “No!” to the enemy and open my heart to listen. Whew…so glad I finally figured that out! So much about this weekend moved me. The music is not what I’ve experienced in any church that we have attended; no hymns here. Oh no, we were singing with great joy (and loudly) about our great God, giving Him thanks and even rocking out a bit! The courageous women who shared remarkable personal testimonies left me speechless. The energy and conviction of our guest speaker prompted meaningful discussion into the wee hours of the morning. Many women, who I have never met before and who knew that I did not attend their church, welcomed me, embraced me and prayed with me and for me. Finally, sharing all of this with three of my dear friends was… was… indescribable*! I am really looking forward to embracing the Word of the Lord through bible study with these amazing women…my sistas! I know that it’s going to be way more than studying!
*My new favorite song that I heard this weekend…Indescribable, sung by Chris Tomlin. I have to listen to it every day now because it lifts me up and energizes me. The words of this song are so simple, yet so powerful. Here are the lyrics...
From the highest of heights
To the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colors of Fall
To the fragrance of Spring
Every creature unique
And the song that it sings
All exclaiming…
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck, we fall to our knees
As we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God
Who has told every lightening bolt
Where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses
Laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun
And gives source to its light?
Yet conceals it to bring us the
Coolness of night
None can fathom…
Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky
And you know them by name
You are amazing, God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart
And You love me the same
You are amazing, God
Written by Laura Story
