I leave later this week for a four-day silent retreat. The practice of attending a retreat at least yearly is life-giving for me and essential for my walk with God. I believe so strongly in this discipline I share a blog post every year about retreats (here are a few here and here) and even wrote a book, Spiritual Retreats: A Guide to Slowing Down with God.
Each year I remind myself to pack simply: just the essentials, my Bible, my journal, pretty pens and highlighters. I am careful not to bring along too many distracting books. Less stuff the better. The most important item to pack is an open and willing heart.
My word of the year is one of those necessary items to bring along. Retreats create silent space to allow my word(s) room to be heard and known exponentially. Like a good soup, my word slowly simmers, revealing wonderful, unexpected tastes. Like a plant, its roots dig deeper and life springs up its stem to produce fruit. Spiritual retreats nourish and allow our words to flourish.
I reread my journal entries noting what my word has said to me so far.
I pray, asking God to take these words and reveal lessons, directions, and even corrections. Surprise me, Lord.
I walk with my word as a companion on life’s journey. Often we walk deeper into the woods than I would have on my own. Sometime my word leads me onto new paths.
My word(s) for 2023 are: Honor the thirst deep within.
I hope to linger with each word on this phrase. Write out definitions, synonyms, and antonyms. Pray with single words and the phrase as a whole. Savor Bible verses reflecting on these words.
Most importantly I will listen.
Mother Teresa said, “We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
Taking my word of the year on retreat touches my soul. Silence found on retreat connects us deeply with how our word is calling us to live.
What spiritual practices are feeding your soul right now?
You give me a lot to think about in this message. Thank you.
Thank you for stopping by!
I gleaned some great advice for my next retreat. My favorites are “The most important item to pack is an open and willing heart.” and “Surprise me, Lord!” Thank you!
Blessings on your next retreat. I know it is a practice that nourishes my soul
Jean, I am in awe of the way you connect so deeply with your word! I would absolutely love to have time for a retreat! But since a full retreat is not possible for me at this time, I am still taking a cue from the things you do while on retreat to connect more deeply with my word. But listening is truly the key!
I just keep praying about these words and God is good in teaching me. Listening is the key – you are so right!
Jean, thank you for sharing your thoughts. The quote is indeed a powerful one and one I needed to read. “God is the friend of silence.” After a long, busy, or noisy day, I long for silence and now I understand why – it is where I find God. May He bless you as you retreat into silence!
Hi Joanne! I know I hear God better when I am silent! A practice that refreshes and nourishes me.
This practice is quite intriguing to me.
I wonder how successful I would be. Would I break down and check my phone or turn on the radio? Where would I go? I think I would nap… A LOT!
Because my words are Teach & Learn, would I end up doing lesson planning or homework?
So much to think about.
One Word #6
To be honest not checking my phone is very hard. I try though to only turn it on – once in the morning and once in the evening so limiting my time. It sure can distract me. Napping is the perfect spiritual practice for retreat – God wants us to rest too!
Jean,
I am so intrigued by this spiritual practice. All the metaphors you used (soup, plants) were so descriptive and, I must say, enticing! Blessed by your post!
Thank you for stopping by the blog and commenting. Blessings on your journey!
Oh, good! I’m glad it’s that time of year again. *I* always look forward to your silent retreats, too, because I know you’ll bring back words from the Lord when you return. 🙂
The retreat setting, in its stillness and silence – I can hear God, hear myself, hear the inside of these words of the year that chose to sit with us one year. yes I will share in an upcoming blog what I heard this retreat – just getting home – and it was different from my expectations. always a surprise.
‘God is the friend of silence.’ Jean, this is so profound and resonates deeply in my introverted soul. What a beautiful season to retreat, taking along the bare minimum of possessions. Praying right now that the Spirit will give you much refreshment and joy.
The retreat was so refreshing – lots of stillness and deepness and prayer. Thank you for praying for me while I was there!
I pray your retreat is all that you are spiritually hoping it will be, Jean. I’m definitely going to look into finding a place near me that offers one; probably after Easter since the family will be with us for spring break this year – hooray!
Looking forward to hearing all about the experiences you have, my friend.
Blessings!
Ii hope you do find a retreat close to you. I have to be very intentional in seeking a place and time that works each year and am thrilled once I get a retreat on the schedule.
Your annual retreats do sound refreshing and fulfilling! I pray this one will be memorable as well. I’m resting in an old hymn these days as I journal through its lyrics, “Sing Praise To God Who Reigns Above.” Just the other morning I wrote the impressions that came to mind (Spirit-led, I pray!) while contemplating the fact God stills “every faithless murmur.” I thought of the promises of God’s Word that wondrously fit every situation we face. I wrote about eight of them, as samples we can lay hold of when the enemy attacks our faith, especially during difficulty. Afterward I did feel refreshed and strengthened! “To [Him] be praise and glory!” (The last line of each verse.)
One year I missed going on retreat and felt it deep in my soul. This practice nourishes and grounds me, Love the hymn you mentioned, A murmur – is a delightful phrase.
have a nourishing retreat Jean…you and the Lord will rest with each other and exchange joy…peace
Thank you Pat. I am packed and ready to go this afternoon!