Last month I had the privilege of spending a week at a cottage with a group of ladies. Because I don't work outside of the home I never used to see the value of getting away, but I've grown to cherish this time to escape my daily routine. Even though it was chilly, the morning views were gorgeous!
Last year I was recovering from surgery and only made it to the cottage a couple of days, but this year I was blessed with an entire week!
This group of ladies don't spend much time together as a rule so there's always a lot of news to share. Most of us use this time to catch up on our reading and I was no exception, completing "The Harbinger" and "Ablaze with His Glory" - both books I would highly recommend, plus getting a good start on "Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus," which is also proving to be fabulous! Before you start thinking we were sitting around all day, we also took some long walks, did some kayaking and ended each day with a rousing game of dominoes. (Wild and crazy, aren't we?)
Each year - and sometimes each day - there's a different combination of women. The cottage, with two tiny bedrooms plus a couple beds out in the the porch area, was small. One night we had nine of us there - interesting to say the least! But what it lacked in space it made up for in warmth. The owners were Christians not afraid to share their faith, and everything on the walls was a testimony.
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden...
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others...
that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." ~ Matthew 5:14-16
Father, I thank you for this time You gave me to relax, spend time with others, and most importantly to spend time with You. Thank you for this witness shouting out from these walls. I pray that all who see it will be drawn to You.
Lisa
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oh i think it is just great that you had a girls week away in a cottage!! Even though I was a stay at home mom for 6 years full time and 3 years part time, I still would have "me time" because it is SOOO vital for our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health! Good for you!! a real blessing. I've never done a women's week or weekend away BUT.....i go on vacation every year with our daughters and husband AND i have Ladies nite out or ladies lunch out when I am on breaks from teaching. I must have taught my oldest girl something because she and 3 other girls left their dorms at Gordon College this afternoon after classes to do a girls weekend away down on the Cape....she just texted that they got their safely (my daughter is the one with a car so she drove from the north shore of Boston all the way down to the cape. in rush hour.sigh. Lots of prayers went up!!) I believe that ALL women, whether they are stay at home moms or not, should take time away to refresh and recharge. The added bonus is the Christian atmosphere!!
Hi Lisa! Oh my gosh, I am so happy to have found your blog. Will you adopt me in your circle of friends??
I think the space and the chats, books and kayaking sounds amazing. (Well, not the kayaking. My shoulders are trashed!) How blessed are you?
The 'Be Still and Know' on the wall was so great. All of it testimony. You don't get that every day, that's for sure.
So happy to join you here! Can't wait to get to know you better.
Ceil