This weekend I went on a retreat put on by my parish for young adults, and had an absolutely blessed time. It is still challenging to put everything into words, I am not sure yet that there actually are words that are adequate to describe the going-ons of the weekend. Since I am having troubles stringing together words eloquently, I’ve decided to share some excerpts from my personal written reflections, Max Lucado’s “A Love Worth Giving”, which I was reading throughout the retreat, as well as questions of mine that arose throughout the weekend. Enjoy!
“Listen much, speak little.” ~Max Lucado
“In letting go, although I may feel powerless, I am actually empowering myself to be able to more easily find and follow God’s will for me and my life.”
“Surrender don't come natural to me. I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want, than to take what You give that I need.” ~Rich Mullins
When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you WILL find me. When you seek me with ALL your heart, you will find me with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot. ~ Jeremiah 29:12-14a
“Looking back at this experience I realize that it is in admitting that you have failed that you are given the strength to get back up again. It is quite humbling to admit that you are failing, but by lowering yourself at someone’s feet you are trusting them and allowing for them to care for, love, and comfort you. Just as Christ wishes to do every day, if we would just simply come before Him, humble ourselves and let Him love us.”
“Agape love cares for others because God has cared for us. Agape love goes beyond sentiment and good wishes. Agape love responds. Agape love forgives the mistake when the offense is high. Agape offers patience when stress in abundant and extends kindness when kindness is rare.” ~Max Lucado
Why do I stop, block, or impede others from loving me?
“[Observing] nature is like seeing God unmasked. It is God in His rawest, most pure form. Simply marvelous.”
“Is the reason we're not still to hear You speak because we don't believe You will?” ~Card Michael
“Silence requires openness and honesty. Openness because you have no idea what God may say or reveal to you. So you must be open to any and all possibilities. For He can do any and all things. It requires honesty, because to be truly silent you must be comfortable with yourself and your surroundings. It requires that you truly look inside of yourself and say “yes” that is me and I love it, accept it, embrace it. Silence also requires honesty because while you are open to all things you need to be honest with yourself about what God is saying and doing to you. It is only when you are honest about what God wills of you, that you will be able to say yes to God, and accept the challenge which is following His will for you in your life. Silence requires openness and honesty, and openness and honesty bear fruit in the silence of our souls.”
“You couldn’t see your purpose in life until he showed you.” ~Max Lucado
Why is it difficult to say “yes” to God, even when you desire to do His will?
“Hope doesn’t promise an instant solution but rather the possibility of an eventual one.” ~ Max Lucado
A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench. ~Isaiah 42:3
“The father didn’t quit. The love for his children was greater than the pain of the journey.” ~Max Lucado
“In stillness and simplicity God speaks.”
