Does it feel like just as we were settling into summer someone hit the fast forward button? I mean, I’m enjoying all the back-to-school photos but I still have a mostly untouched summer to-do list.
Summer 2017 was one for the books for our family in so many ways. Two graduations, a wedding and our first grandbaby all before mid-June. We sandwiched in four birthdays, VBS, science camp, summer jobs, two church camps, surgery and radiation for my mom (who is doing so well) and, most recently, launched another one to college.
A few summers ago, wrangling the schedule for seven kids as a new single parent, I remember telling my sister that as soon as I got through the next round of events, life would level out. Surely once the crisis was over, life would return to the full but manageable pace we’d had.
My wise sister stopped me. “Lisa? I think this is your new pace.”
Thunk. As soon as she said them, the truth of her words hit home. I’d been kidding myself. How could one doing what two had been doing ever look the same? My expectations shifted — a healthy first step in finding a new rhythm. And after six years, while I’ve gotten used to the pace, I’ve no where near mastered it.
But I find myself poured out and needing to be refilled.
I’m starting our 19th year of homeschooling (!). All the fall activities are beginning to start back in full force and I have a couple of big projects to work on.
I need to fill up before I can pour out.
Maybe you too?
It’s time to take a personal retreat. Now I love a weekend retreat with friends. But take time away to unscramble my heart and head is so filling. I need time to make God’s voice louder than anything else and I desperately need Him to refill me.
It’s like a spa for the soul, friend, and if you’ve never taken one, I’m sharing my custom-designed Be Still: Personal Retreat Guide to help you have your own retreat.
This Personal Retreat Notebook has been updated and expanded! It’s filled with scripture, prayer prompts, questions and journaling space to help you experience your own retreat with God. This Personal Retreat Notebook has space to —
- Record thankfulness for all that God’s done through the year
- Take a full spiritual assessment
- Confess known sin through a series of scripture
- Evaluate your biggest challenges and needs in multiple areas of life
- Focus on the attributes of God
- Seek God’s direction over your life
If you’ve been longing to press pause and get away with God or you need to hear from him and seek direction, this Be Still: Personal Retreat Guide is the perfect tool to help you refresh and refill.
Get your copy of this updated and expanded Be Still: Personal Retreat Guide when you subscribe here.
I hope this notebook blesses you mightily!
Have a wonderful trip. I love NYC for a few days then I have to get back to the country. I would suggest a carriage ride in Central Park and a trip to Ellis Island.
Lol, Sonya, a country girl at heart. Great suggestions…we’ve got Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty booked. 🙂
Wow! I took a 24-hour personal retreat last week, which was not as successful as I had hoped. Your journal sounds like just what I need to guide me. I’ll be scheduling another one in the very near future!
I hope it blesses you, Betty!
Good for you for pressing “pause” and taking time to refresh!
Thank you Allison. It was tricky carving out a couple of days but drained is not a good way to parent. 🙂
Levain’s Bakery. The best cookies and worth the 20 or so minute wait!
Ooh, I’m putting this on the list, Laurie! Thank you.
I LOVE the idea of a personal retreat! And to have created a personal retreat journal is wonderful! I think we always think we need to “go away” to a women’s retreat, but we can retreat to the Lord wherever we are.
I took the month of July off as I guess you could say a personal retreat. The Lord met me there in a huge way and I came back to blogging refreshed and renewed.
And congratulations on all those milestones! I have one grandchild who is two and a half and she is one of the biggest blessings of my life!
Thanks for sharing!
Karen, taking time off in the summer is so wise. I know, for me, I have to step away for awhile to think my own thoughts. Thank you!
A great book to incorporate on this is “Sacred Rest@ by Cheryl Wunderlich. Enjoy your time. God Bless you!
Lisa, this looks wonderful! I’ve subscribed! Thanks so much and have a wonderful trip!!
Thank you, Deb! So looking forward to seeing my son and his wife and exploring their city. 🙂
I loved working through the personal retreat notebook. It was so helpful! I’m definitely going to print another copy and plan a retreat again soon:) Thank you Lisa for this wonderful resource!
how many do you still have at home? our youngest (of 7) just graduated from high school (online, from home) and our 21 year old son is also still at home, 24 year old daughter just moved into her own little house, 28 year old son just got married and lives nearby….the oldest 3, 35, 33, and 30 are all married with children….
Guessing you are a few years “behind”…as we have had children in school for the past 29 years!! YIKES it does go by fast, and I could sure relate to your sister’s comment…my words to my sister-in-law were, “Once we get past this summer life will start to slow down”….and she said,
Honey, your life will just continue to get more full!!
and that is the truth…#9 and #10 grandchildren are on the way….4 daughters in law…we are SO RICH!!
Praying much for you as you manage this on your own…enjoy every single minute that you have, and TAKING REST is the very best thing you could possibly do!!!
Also, we have 5 sons and 2 daughters, what is your count? Each one so very precious!!
Glad to “meet ” you!!
Donna Jeanne Schneider
Lynchburg, VA
Help!! I was trying to sign up for this tool but it won’t let me? Is there any way it can be emailed to me still? My email is cspicuzza83@gmail.com
Thank you!
Hi Christina, it’s fixed now! You can sign up here!