Last month I scheduled a retreat day for myself and it was glorious.  Back in November I spent an afternoon by myself at a friend’s house refreshing out of necessity.  Things were crazy, I needed a break, so Kenny stayed with the kids.  I came home that day saying I needed to schedule in these kinds of days now and again so I don’t get to the point of “needing” a retreat.

So, that’s what I did.  Some wonderful friends downtown offered their beautiful home to me for the day.  A peaceful sanctuary to regroup on a cold, snowy day.  

So, armed with books, bible, journal, crafting supplies, and laptop, I headed out.  I spent some time making cards, listened to worship music, read for hours, spent time praying, journaling, and even took a nap.  It really was glorious.

I love my family and I love being wife and mama, but sometimes a rest is needed to refresh us and keep us going.  That’s exactly what I needed.  Uninterrupted time to think, pray, and get my mind and heart right with God, ready to go back.  Taking a step back to do this and gain perspective, I feel, is really important.  Especially for us introverts who rarely get time alone.  It’s not realistic or possible to do this all the time, but now and again, it is so refreshing.  Getting away from Kenny, James, and Anna for a brief time only makes me want them more and helps me see with new eyes this important role God has given me.  Sometimes it feels so daunting and overwhelming, but God in His mercy is big enough to extend grace to cover even the most draining of days. Gaining perspective reminds us of this truth and arms us with the tools to step back into our role with new joy.

Thank you, Father, for this time with you to refresh my body and soul.  Thank you for a husband who not only sees this need in me, but willingly and joyfully steps in when I need to get away.

Are you in need of a retreat?  An hour, day, or weekend away?  Do you need time to regroup, refresh, and gain new perspective?  How can you make this a reality in the coming weeks?  If you’re feeling overwhelmed and unsure of your next step, ask God to give you the means to step back and see through His eyes.