Retreat is in a few days. For some this brings nothing but joy while others are a little nervous. Sometimes our nervousness can take away from the retreat experience. Following are 3 things you can do at retreat to maximize your time away.
1. Set good boundaries. Give yourself permission to take ownership of your choices, freedom and responsibilities this weekend.
- Be good to yourself. Get proper sleep and nutrition. Leave your to-do list and cell phone at home so that you can be present at each activity and take in the message for you. Be yourself. You are already accepted.
- Be true to yourself. If you need answers, pray, read your Bible, and/or talk with a wise woman. If you need space and quiet, don’t fill every moment with activity and people. If you need friendship, seek out someone to visit with during the free times. If you are hurting, cry and/or ask for prayer.
2. Be flexible. Retreat is not a predictable, sterile mathematical formula. There will be glitches and changes in the program, in one another’s moods, and even in your own needs. These glitches and changes are not personal. Go with the flow. But do expect God the Father to do something in your life this weekend.
3. Take your “iron” wisely. Proverbs 27:17 says, ‘Iron sharpens iron; so a [woman] sharpens the countenance of [her] friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].” The Amplified Bible
- Purposefully hang with one (or several) safe women this weekend.
- Find a prayer partner for the weekend.
- Get involved in the group events.
- Get to know each woman’s name and something about each one.
- Talk about what you are learning and thinking about with others.
- Keep confidences.
- Be gentle with one another’s feelings, needs and comments.
Your Turn – – – What would you add to this list?
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Fruitful Devotion by Pastor Susan 
SMILE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SOmeone may need one even if you don’t.
1.Try something different from last year retreat. I plan on staying at the lodge durng free tme instead of going out & about.
2.Move beyond my safety net. Sit at a different table for each meal. Sit by different people at the meetings. Last year I sat at different tables for the meetings which was interesting because I ended up seating in someone seat. Some people either wanted to sit with the same people each time or thought we were suppose to stay with the same group at each meeting.
Tammie – a smile is a good one.
Lynette – Trying something different can really open my eyes up to seeing truths in a different way. I like sitting at different table too. That way I get the opportunity to speak to most, if not all, the ladies.