Advent Retreat

Peace, grace, and joy were the words to describe this time away. Erik keeps reminding me that when we are the busiest, these are the best times to take a break. Advent can become a very busy season in the church, filled with lots of hustle and bustle. Shopping, services, parties, planning, all rush in with the season pressing ever earlier on our lives. Charge conference adds to the clutter as well and by the time I was on my way to the retreat I was really tired. As soon as we turned on to the dirt road the retreat began. My mind began to relax into the rhythms of God. We prayed at Vespers with singing joyful nuns. We entered the Psalms and stayed there for a while. We ate a delicious simple meal, we prayed again and by eight o'clock I was asleep-- rest, quiet, peaceful rest. When the alarm sounded at 4:15am I was ready to rise. Awake, ready to pray, no coffee. The prayers reminded me that we sleep through what God is up to sometimes, but we can join in if we set our minds and bodies to do so. Prayer, breakfast, prayer, communion and prayer, simple work in the morning, prayer, lunch prayer. The days went on in this rhythm. I started to relax and let God speak to me. Naps are really wonderful when you get up at 4:15 in the morning. The time was well spent. In the abbey, we could tell that it was Advent all week. The candle of peace was lit several times while I was there. Scriptures and sermon titles came easily after just a bit of reading. Letting God have my full attention for these few days was the best advent present for us all. Prayer kept me connected to the concerns of our church too. The break was much needed and the blessings were abundant. When you are the most busy is the best time to take a break. The break was sweet, and home is even sweeter when we come back gentled. God's peace be with you, and with your soul.