I was tired.
Spiritually. Physically.
When Richard suggested a prayer retreat this past weekend, I wasn’t sure we could do it. In the midst of moving from one state to another, how could we justify the cost? How could I just stop everything and go away?
I’m so thankful that we did. Because this past weekend I found something.
I found me.
Even as you and I have dug deeper into what it means to rediscover intimacy with Jesus, I’ve wondered about the timing of this challenge.
Should I have waited until I was moved into our home?
Should I have waited when we weren’t living out of suitcases, or when I wasn’t slipping into our temporary bed in the playroom and finding dinosaurs and popsicles between our sheets?
But maybe that’s the point? Why wait for the perfect time to get alone with our Savior?
The reality is there is no perfect time. That applied even for this weekend.
But I sensed God asking me to simply stop.
Richard and I found an affordable place just an hour and a half away. It was a tree house.
Yes, I said tree house.
Set in the woods. A one-room tree house. In our budget. Set in nature. Solitary. Not fancy.
But Heavenly.
I climbed in that car, sick from a cold. Exhausted from packing up a house, and juggling all my tasks, trusting God as we live in limbo after months of living between God’s plan for us, and the obstacles that stood in the way. And in that small tree house, I discovered all over again why Jesus is called our Sanctuary.
As we drove home, I realized this was something I had never done for myself. . . . ever. But I will do it again. I would trade any small luxury (like eating out on occasion) to save up for this.
Just as I find time throughout the week for Jesus, there are times we hit empty and we need to schedule in a time of sanctuary. Maybe, like me, you are on a budget, so that might be a an afternoon in a park, or by a lake, or even in a tree house an hour and a half away.
It’s not the place, it’s the intentional refueling and filling up.
Maybe, like me, you just keep on going when your spiritual and physical tank is on empty, and God is whispering, “Slow down, sis. Create a respite, even if it’s just slowing down long enough to turn everything off and pray for an afternoon or rest in my presence.
Have you been running on empty?
If you were to plan a sanctuary/respite, what might that look like for you in the near future? What plans might you have to make to carry it through? (Journal this.)
Why do you think that God led even Jesus into solitary places to pray? What benefits might be there for you?
What verse comes to mind about rest or Jesus being our sanctuary? (Share that here.)
I have been hanging on, often by a thread, waiting to create my sanctuary. At 49 years of age, I am getting divorced, and moving out of my home. Yesterday I looked at a house, today I will see another one. I will be moving somewhere in January. Not knowing where is tiring. I keep telling myself that as soon as I have my house, “it will all be o.k.” but your post this morning makes me realize that perhaps I should create a break for myself sometime before, to recharge.
Shelly, I pray the God shows you today, His truths, and that He wraps His arms around you for comfort and security, because that is where you will find it. Sometimes the sanctuary is simply in your own mind….a quite place to go. You are walking a difficult road and you need His comfort. He is willing to give it to you – look for it and accept it. You are in my prayers sister!
How wise. I think we often wait for the perfect moment, or perfect place. Yet Jesus often went into the wilderness or “away” at a short distance, even though all of his cares, and all of the people who needed Him, were just a short distance away.
Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and the righteous run into It and are safe.” I spend a lot of years running, doing, and today I have the gift of time with God. My husband is on a hunting trip and I am up and home way earlier than usual. I feel this is God giving me quiet time with Him. I find hymns and praise songs playing in my heart and mind, giving me peace and calming my anxious and lonesome heart. We spend so much time together it is difficult for me to be apart from his security, yet I know God is the ONLY one who will ALWAYS be there. He has proven that again and again and I praise Him for it. Thank you for this wonderful post. May God strengthen you as you continue to serve Him.
that sounds like a beautiful respite.
Thank you so much for the honest confession that you are not super woman! I’m not sure why it matters but somehow it helps to know none of us is alone on this journey. Thank you for the transparency and thank you for being obedient to Him. Your words were a blessing this morning.
Oh Cindy, so far from superwoman!!! <3
Father, thank you for this beautiful woman who is seeking a new place, and yet her “old” place, that which never changes, is found in You. May that be her anchor, no matter where she lands physically. Cover her heart with joy, with peace, and abide in those shattered and hurting places as You make Your home in her and heal and restore and comfort and strengthen her.
Suzie, sometimes just a day “off the planet” at home is like a respite from the world. Don’t have to go anywhere, just need to shut out all unnecessary distractions and rest in the Lord!
I agree, Mary T. Home is the best sanctuary ever!
Suzie,
What a wonderful reminder that seeking to be away from the “noise” of living and resting in His love and His word is the BEST.