Retreating from Women’s Retreats

This past weekend I went on a women’s retreat to Lake Arrowhead with my church, Redeemer Church in La Mirada.  I have to admit, that I was a bit wary about writing this post on a women’s retreat, since my past few posts have been a series on Ruth, my last post was about Hello Kitty, and I don’t want to get pegged as the girl who writes about women’s issues. I’m also not one who gets excited about women’s events, since I have this preconceived notion in my head that women’s events are comprised of homemakers coming together for an afternoon tea to make crafts and discuss the best way to get grass stains out of laundry. With this idea in my head, I’m usually more hesitant to go to women’s events, since I don’t feel like I fit the “typical Christian woman” mold.

Yet, despite my hesitancy, I went on the retreat this weekend and found it a refreshing experience. I enjoyed the fact that while the activities and free time were thought-through and intentional, that we had a lot of space to just be. I didn’t feel forced to act in a certain way, and the fact that the other women on the retreat seemed comfortable in their own skin, also gave me the freedom to just be me. I’m grateful that this diverse group of women blew my preconceived notions of church women retreats.

I entered into the retreat, tired and weary from my fast-paced life, having the weight and anxieties of making life decisions in a very transitional period of my life. In this space, I didn’t have to exert more energy than I had, and I was able to take a 3-hour nap during free time. I’m also grateful for the time of prayer we had for one another in small groups, as it was a sweet time to see women minister to each other and minister to me, reminding me of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness even in the uncertainty of my future. I often worry about the “what ifs” that life may throw at me, which sometimes paralyze me from moving forward in making decisions. Despite my anxiety, God is gracious in providing community to remind me that He is My anchor and rock, and while everything else is in flux, He is steady and faithful.

On the retreat, I was reminded of beauty and goodness- in nature as the lovely forest surrounded us, in the delicious food that was provided for us, and in each other as I saw the different gifts of each woman present. There is also something greatly profound in worshiping with other women, singing praises to God in unity of voice, as I led them in singing with my guitar. This retreat helped me see that there is much more depth and richness to women’s events, again challenging my preconceived notions and judgments. I’m grateful for another experience of God showing me my limited thinking, and expanding my view of Him and others.