A Retreat

    I've been going through a Bible reading plan that goes through the Bible in chronological order to read the Bible in a year. I try to set aside time first thing in the morning to read the passages for the day and reflect and pray after, but I have to admit there are mornings when I prioritize other things. So, I have not been caught up, but trying to catch up by reading a set of passages at night too. 

    It amazes me that even when I'm not caught up in the plan, I find something in God's word that hits me and is so relevant to me at the time. In my discipleship group, we have been hoping to go on a trip to Monte Sano State Park for a day of prayer. We haven't been able to find a date and time that works for everyone, so we are planning for the trip to be in the fall. From the first mention of this day of prayer, it sounded so nice to get away and be in conversation with the Lord all day. The idea was exciting, especially because I had been in the midst of the busyness of graduate school. I remember at some point during the semester, when I thought of this day of prayer, I had the idea of going to a park by myself to pray for a day. It wouldn't have to be as far as Huntsville, but just some place that isn't as familiar as the UA campus or my neighborhood. Months later, the spring semester ended, and I spent May with my family and friends. Then, as June began, I started working at the writing center for the summer and I went to Student Life camp to lead a bible study. 

    This morning, as I read 1 Kings 17-19, I could see that God was saying, "Go! Just go ahead and get away to find rest. Spend a day with me. Sit and talk with me. I am here. Come to me." In chapter 19, Elijah retreats to Beersheba to flee from Jezebel because she was angry that he had killed the false prophets of the foreign gods and wanted to kill him. As expected, Elijah ran in fear. Once he had fallen asleep by a bush, an angel of the Lord came to him and told him to eat. Once he had eaten and rested again, the angel came and told him to eat again. After he ate, he travelled forty days and nights to Horeb the mountain of God. When he arrived, he spent a night in a cave. The Lord called Elijah and told him to stand on the mountain because he would find the presence of the Lord. A powerful wind shattered the rocks, an earthquake came, and a fire appeared, but the Lord came in a gentle whisper. After the gentle whisper, the Lord spoke to Elijah, telling him what to do next about his situation, reminding him that He is in control. 

    I think it is cool that the Lord's presence came in a gentle whisper, rather than the grand wind or earthquake. Sometimes, we need to sit still and wait to hear God's voice. 

    As I was reading this story, I was distracted by the notes in the margins I had written almost 5 years ago during fall retreat with Bama Wesley. Wade Langer, the campus pastor, was preaching on this passage, reminding us of the importance of retreats from the chaos and nearness with the Lord. This brought that tiny idea I had in the semester to get away and pray. With all of this in mind, I thought, "Wow, I need to do this. I hear, you Lord."

    I've decided I'm going to have my day with the Lord this weekend. I can't wait. 

    Have you ever spent a day in prayer? How did it go? 

 ~Kthnxbai!

P.S. If you've ever wondered what "Kthnxbai" means, it is a phrase that I adapted from an Instagram profile that follows the adventures of two adorable Boston Terriers. To me, the phrase means, "Okay, that's the end. Thank you for reading and I'll see you later!" A friend asked what it means recently, and I thought maybe I should tell you about it!