lessons from retreat

I left the retreat on Sunday feeling uncomfortable.  God had re-opened some questions that I thought were answered…closed…finished.  The hard part is that they’re not just MY questions, they are OUR questions—Jim’s and mine.  Jim’s not there yet, not ready to re-open them.  So I drove home trying to figure out how to cope with the prickly feelings of conviction, not remembering that if it is truly a God thing, then HE will be faithful to bring Jim to the table.   Fortunately (?) Jim’s gone this week, so I didn’t have the opportunity to rush ahead of God, and now I remember so we’ll see where He leads this conversation.

It has been interesting.  As I’ve mulled over Ele’s words from this weekend, God has provided me several opportunities to share what I learned.  In a different direction than I personally was being challenged and convicted.  It’s so cool to see the timeliness of this. 

Ele shared the reminder that we all are valuable to God—He created each of us.  Becoming a woman of significance and purpose, though, is a choice.  It requires that we remember some things first though.  Things like “…”He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.”  (Acts 17:26b).  You ARE where God would have you!  Exactly where you should live!  Wow.  But there’s more.  We need to allow Him to “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps 90:12)  Those things have to happen before we can pursue becoming people of significance and purpose.

So what does it take to be significant to God?   Remembering the 3 non-negotiables:

• being a person of prayer (James 1:5-8)   
• being a person of faith (Hebrews 11:1)
• being a person of the word of God  (2 Tim 2:15)

and applying them to life.  Daily.  Thinking through those non-negotiables, look at where you are growing and where you are stuck.  Hmmm…

Then we talked about the two things we ARE as believers (salt and light, Matthew 5).  About worry and fear.  About how to deal with a spirit of fear, and what happens if we are released from the fear but don’t fill that space with the things of God.  About the antidote to worry and fear (Phil 4:6) and the peace that comes as a byproduct of obedience (Phil 4:7).  Then we did a fascinating exercise.  Make a list of the following words (Phil 4:8), then beside them write their opposites:

• true
• noble
• right
• pure
• lovely
• admirable
• excellent
• praise-worthy                                                    

Where am I living?  What occupies my thinking?  Am I living in such a way that what should be an 11 day journey takes 40 years (see Deut. 1).  That’s not how I want it to be!  Fortunately, I have the power—and the tools—to make change it.

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord"…”  ~Psalm 19:14

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Busy day tomorrow.  Logan’s having his gross motor skills and his fine motor skills re-evaluated by the school.  He may qualify for therapy again since his skills have not improved relative to his like aged peers.  Then Victoria comes back from her backpacking trip to Catalina Island and heads out directly for Portland for the weekend.  Looks like she’s going to miss the bus, and I’ll have to take her.  Quick trip down and back.  What is it with long distance day trips these days?!?  She returns Sunday afternoon.  Next week is spring break around here…hopefully the sun will come out and things will slow down!  And then on Friday?  I’m off to Pullman.  Again.  This time it’s for the weekend, to enjoy Moms Weekend with my girl.  Sounds heavenly.