My Date with God.

This post is going to be long...but I am still so excited about this hour of my life that I can't possibly hold it in any longer!

I was given the opportunity to sign up for an hour long Date With God while I was at the Created For Care Retreat.

Could you offer a tired Momma anything better?!

As I walked in the room I was immediately peaceful. As the women gathered on the floor in the center of the room there was an expectant silence in the room. We knew God was here...and it was amazing!

The room was dimly lit by candles all around. There were stations set up all around the perimeter of the room. A soft spoken women welcomed us and reminded us that, just as we long for one on one time with our children, God longs for that time with us as well. He had been looking forward to this date with us for a long time!! Just typing that makes me feel excited...to think that the God of all the universe looks forward to alone time with me is just overwhelming and makes me giddy!

There was quiet worship music playing and we rotated through each station as we felt ready. I started at the Foot of the Cross. There was a large wooden cross with pillows all around and Bibles. I knelt down and prayed that God would show me why he brought me there. I have never been one of those people who can randomly open their Bible and feel like God has led them to a certain verse...but I knew God had something great in store for me, and so I was ready for Him to show me. I opened by Bible and started reading in Joshua 10:18:

Joshua said, “Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it. But don’t stop! Pursue your enemies, attack them from the rear and don’t let them reach their cities, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand.” So Joshua and the Israelites destroyed them completely—almost to a man—but the few who were left reached their fortified cities. The whole army then returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one uttered a word against the Israelites. Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon. When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung them on five trees, and they were left hanging on the trees until evening. At sunset Joshua gave the order and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had been hiding. At the mouth of the cave they placed large rocks, which are there to this day.

Wow. Thank you God!

It was exactly what I needed to hear. It was a reminder to let God fight my battles for me. All these battles that have been raging in my heart, head, and life - I turned them all over to the Lord of Lords...and he's going to slay them and place them away in a cave, where they will stay FOREVER.

Then I turned to Micah 7:7: "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me. "

Whew.
I told you God showed up in a big way!

From there I moved over to a canopy with comforters, blankets, and pillows on the ground. It was our safe haven to Be Still...and Know that He is God. As I laid my head on the pillow and curled up I was overcome with a complete peace. There was no anxiety, no heavy beating heart, no "on guard" feeling wondering what will be hurled my way next. I intended to pray a prayer of Thanksgiving to God there, but I didn't need to. I was finally STILL. I knew He was God, and that's all we both needed.

From there I moved to a table with a large paper heart. We were to draw on a part of the heart what we think God's love looks like... What would you draw?

Next I went to a table with paper plates and play dough. We were to sculpt what gift we thought God wanted to give us. Try to answer this for yourself, share with me here if you want to...

Then I went to pray for the Nations. There were maps on the wall of each continent. I, of course prayed for Ethiopia, but also for the United States. We are in need to Him here...maybe we've become a little too self sufficient here in the wealthy, thriving USA? It was beautiful to see women kneeling praying for every country in the world.

After that I went to paint. There was a table with paints and construction paper. We were to paint what we thought God's heart looked like. The paintings that came off that table were beautiful, I wish there was a gallery that would display them all. You can't even imagine.

Lastly, I wrote a prayer request on a post it and put it on the wall. After posting my own I prayed for 2 others that had been posted. With 250 women going through this room through the day just think about how many times each of those requests were brought before God! Ah, the power of prayer!

Later, all those prayer requests were transferred to the wooden cross and brought into our last large session, where we all had the opportunity to gather at the foot of the cross together and pray over them. 250 women, 250 moms, 250 children of God. If that doesn't make you breath deeply, I don't know what would!

I think this concept would be amazing for VBS', youth groups, adult small groups, or at home with your own children. I have done a few of these things with my kids since being home, and plan on continuing to do them with them as they grow and mature in Christ. If you've not set aside time lately to have a date with God...I really encourage you to do so. God loves you...he longs to be with you. He wants to speak to you, to encourage you, to wipe away your tears and fill your heart with His hope. We must quiet our lives and homes in order for Him to do that...won't you?