In God's Time

Last Thursday evening, I packed my bags, loaded up the car, said good-bye to the girls, Howie and dogs, and drove myself to a beautiful retreat site on Watt's Bar Lake called Grace Point in order to participate in a spiritual retreat called Cursillo. As I drove the 40 miles to the retreat site, I felt anxious. I was concerned I would be uncomfortable in my more rustic camp style accommodations. I am not a campy, rustic type girl. I know this, and more importantly, God knows this about me. I had even packed my travel iron (yes, I really did pack it) in hopes that perhaps I might be able to sneak in a bit of ironing while I was on my retreat. As I entered the gates of Grace Point, I prayed this simple prayer, "Dear Heavenly Father, I know that you know that I packed my iron and that perhaps that is really silly of me since I will be at a camp site this weekend. Please let me let go of my need to have my clothes ironed so that I can fully enjoy this weekend as you have meant for me to." I drove up the hill to my final destination and was greeted by many smiling faces of those who would be taking care of me on my weekend at Grace Point. I was led to the girls Tree House, and as I entered and was shown my bed, the lady said to me, "Amy honey, we have you set up right here. Did you request an outlet be near your bed?" I was shocked! No I hadn't requested an outlet, but sure enough, my bed was located next to one! I had read in my devotional that morning before coming to the retreat that no request is too small for God to be asked if we come to him with complete trust. No, I didn't ask for an outlet, but it was provided for me anyway. The simple thing of an electrical outlet graciously provided to me left me with a sense of peace that transcended any kind of understanding of my own making. We were asked to give up our other electronic devices and time pieces that weekend which I gladly relinquished. It was a weekend spent on God's time in which I was blessed over and over again with love, grace, renewal, and many gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is a time that I will always cherish and carry with me in my heart for the rest of my days here on earth. Although I can't fully explain the moments of grace that I experienced in my weekend I will say, it began with that one simple act of trust in letting God take care of all my needs and unfolded into a beautiful weekend walk with my Father in Heaven. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." ~Matthew 7:7