There she was—a perfect little blue bloom with rich green leaves—growing right in the middle of a patch of gravel. My breath caught. Both awe and sadness at the sight. The little blue flower a vivid image of beauty emerging through adversity. Resilience.
A few steps further along the path, I came upon huge clusters of blue flowers in an open field. These flowers growing among others, vibrant and full of collective beauty.
The single bloom represented the strength to thrive against all odds, while the group represented the abundance of shared community.
We gather on Sundays. Community groups gather. Bible studies meet. Teams build bonds through service and outreach. We share food, coffee, conversation. We provide emotional and practical support. Community is fostered through intentional relationship building that extends beyond the Sunday worship gathering.
One way to build a sense of belonging and community is for us to get away together. Much like the collective beauty and abundance of those tiny blue clusters of flowers, gathering at a retreat offers a dedicated, unhurried space to build connections.
Next week, a group of ladies will head out of town for rest and refreshment, to connect deeply with God and one another. Community building.
In preparation for the time away, a team has been praying and planning for the upcoming retreat. The theme is SEEK. Each woman participating has cleared her schedule and created space for rest. Leaving home for a day or two to find a restful setting requires working out the logistics of all that will need attention during her absence. This is no small fete.
Thank you for praying for the women and for this retreat:
- Spiritual growth- for openness to hear from God in our quiet times, deepening our relationship and longing for Him. (Ezekiel 36:27; Colossians 2:6-7)
- Women- for the ability to get away, safety, for those with husbands/families at home, for the willingness to develop friendships. (John 13:34-35)
- Music- for the corporate worship that speaks to our hearts, for the many details to come together. (John 4:24; Isaiah 65:24)
- Speakers- protection over health and family, prayer and preparation to be fruitful and uplifting. (Matthew 7:7-8)
- Planning teams- to be continually in prayer, for grace in service, protection from spiritual attack. (Philippians 4:6; Psalm 91:10-11)
This retreat inspires stepping away so we can lean in—toward God, toward community, and toward the ongoing work He is doing in us. Abundance. The invitation remains simple and life-giving: seek the Lord, seek His strength, and keep seeking Him continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11)