Women’s Retreat Reflections

This past weekend was our annual Women’s Retreat, and it was an amazing time of rest and spending time with each other. Here are a few words about it from our very own Leigh McAfee.

“During the sessions I had a prime spot at the front of the room running PowerPoint.

And because I can only focus on one thing at a time, I mostly listened to the singing surrounding me as I changed slides.

I listened to the strong voices of the women in that room join in one chorus to declare God’s promises in song.

‘You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.

You do not faint. You won’t grow weary.

You’re the defender of the weak.

You comfort those in need.

You lift us up on wings like eagles.’

All weekend this theme echoed throughout the retreat center.

Nestled up on couches in hallways, playing bananagrams next to the fire, heads bowed in corners designated for prayer, and even during a game of foursquare, we encouraged each other, reminded each other of God’s truth, and shared parts of our stories.

The thing I’ve been dwelling on this week since returning is how much I’ve needed to hear words that have been spoken to me. The mantras in my head take on an entirely different meaning when spoken to me by someone who loves me.

One of the tables shared that their tapestry represented the words of hope they each want to offer to those around them.

How encouraging to know that women I’ve only just met are thinking and praying about how to extend words of hope to me!

How refreshing to have been part of a retreat where so many of those words were spoken, and heard.”

-Leigh McAfee