Going on Retreat

It's hard to believe that by the end of this month we will move into the season of Lent. Lent is a time when we seem to pay particular attention to our spiritual journey. It is a time when we look more intentionally for ways in which we can strengthen our relationship with God. Going on a retreat is one of those ways. It is a way through quiet, through prayer, through reading, walking, and even sleeping, to make space in our hectic lives to hear God's voice.

I remember one particularly wonderful retreat about fifteen years ago out at the Episcopal Conference Center. It snowed all weekend long. Sitting on my bed with a book in my lap I realized that time had simply stopped. For those few short days I had all the time in the world to sit with God. Later one of the other retreatants and I silently (yes it was a silent retreat - and yes I can be quiet for an extended period of time) decided to walk in the woods at sunset. We took our walk in silence and somehow it became even more clear why Jesus calls us into community. Together, side by side we walked, in silence and in safety, each enhancing the journey of the other by virtue of simply being there for each other.

As we prepare for our Parish Retreat in March (more information on our website) I'm wondering about other folk's experiences with retreats. Have you made a retreat part of your spiritual journey? If you haven't been on a retreat, what holds you back?