Fall Women's Mini Retreat

Why We Need Women’s Retreats:

1. Because it’s hard to hear God’s voice above the noise of everyday life. When is the last time you sat before God without a To Do list hanging over you, a pile of laundry the size of Football Stadium in the background, or family members pressing in on all sides? If you can’t remember, you need to attend a retreat.

“To retreat” means to leave our normally occupied positions and go to a place of safety, quiet, and seclusion. By going to a retreat, we physically remove ourselves from life’s distractions, the call of chores, and the demands of people in order to make space for God. If you think you’re less spiritual because you struggle to hear from God in the cacophony of your daily life, be encouraged. Even Jesus recognized the value and need to get away. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus retreated.

2. Because we need each other.

Faith is contagious. Just like a virus, it passes from person to person through close contact. Today’s busy world allows little time for women to share faith stories, pray together, and hear biblical messages written with women in mind.

3. Because meeting together spurs us on to “love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).

The Greek word for “spur on” is paroxusmus, which means to stir someone up. It has negative connotations, such as stirring up disagreement, but in this passage, it underscores the fact that meeting together as believers helps us love and serve God and each other better.

4. Standing side by side with our sisters in Christ, and worshipping, praying, and learning about our precious Savior makes us stronger. You won't regret attending this retreat.

Excerpts taken from blogger Lori Hatcher. She shares an empty nest in Columbia, South Carolina, with her ministry and marriage partner, David, and best dog ever, Winston. A homeschool mom for 17 years, she’s the author of the devotional book, Joy in the Journey – Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time.