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I went to a truly amazing retreat this weekend. It's called "Listen to My Life." There is a curriculum that you follow, but it's mostly life maps where you have the opportunity to map out significant highs and lows, desires and dreams, and lingering questions about your life. I learned a lot about myself this weekend and made some special bonds with some fantastic women. I went into the weekend hoping that I would hear from God. I didn't expect a loud, thundering "Hello, My child!", but I was hoping to get in touch with that still, small voice that I seemed to be missing lately. Thankfully, when I took the time to reflect and rest, I did hear that precious voice of the One who loves me most. One of the best exercises that we did was active listening. I was surprised how much you can learn about yourself when no one is interrupting you when you are thinking out loud. I also learned that God has spoken to me even when I didn't recognize it. He's spoken to me in my life and in my life events and through people He has placed in my life from the time I was born. I don't think I would have seen that had I not actually mapped out a life chart. Being the data-loving person that I am, I could really see so much of what God has done in my life by looking at my life on paper in chart form. I also learned what things in my life make sense and why some things don't. I was able to see those areas in which I am truly gifted and those areas in which I'm not especially gifted. I could see why I spent a lot of time frustrated with some ministry activities in my past even though others told me I would be "good" at doing them. And best of all, I learned that God has designed me to be a certain way...and I'm ok with that. Maybe it's like Popeye who always says, "I yam what I yam" ...and that's all that I yam. I don't have the answers for what God wants me to do next. But I do know for sure that I'm loved beyond measure, I'm uniquely created by God, He knows where I've been and where I'm going and my job is to trust Him and do the next thing...whatever that is. I think I can do that. I am so thankful for the material you developed. Though I was a bit skeptical at first of all the diagrams - it's a little overwhelming at first glance - it was not as daunting as I had first thought. I was surprised at my many discoveries during the weekend. I am looking forward to finishing the material with some of the women in the group.
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