"Back to Reality"

This weekend, I was blessed beyond reason with an amazing opportunity to retreat with 10 of my Tuesday night bible study Sisters.

I knew at first mention of it, weeks ago, that it would be a great chance to just get away and maybe get to know some of the girls a little bit better. But, I had no idea. No idea of what God had planned for us. It was such an amazing time spent with such amazing women. A weekend that will not soon be forgotten.

Seeing as we all pledged that "what happens in Blairsville stays in Blairsville" :-) I won't get into any of the particulars, but I will just say that even my poor little wearied dried-up soul was deeply touched. God made it very evident that each of us was there for a reason. And there was just such an undeniable sweet spirit there with us all weekend... you just didn't want it to end.

Didn't want to come back to 'the real world', as it were.

But, I guess we can't stay on the mountaintop all the time. Because if nothing else, that's not where we are needed. Not where we belong (as ideal as it may seem).

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In "Streams", we are reminded that "No one can stay on the mountaintop of favor forever, for there are responsibilities in the valley. Christ fulfilled His life's work not in the glory but in the valley, and it was there He was truly and completely the Messiah.

...Some Christians think they must always be on the mountaintop of extraordinary joy and revelation, but this is not God's way. Those high spiritual times and wonderful communication with the unseen world are not promised to us, but a daily life of communion with Him is. And it is enough for us, for He will give us those times of exceptional revelation if it is the right thing for us.

There were only three disciples allowed to see the Transfiguration, and the same three also experienced the darkness of Gethsemane.

...The value of the vision and the accompanying glory is its gift of equipping us for service and endurance."

Father, I thank You so much for these women; each one of them. They have each left a print on my heart that I pray won't be covered up anytime soon. And I thank You for showing up so clearly through them.

During a time where You feel so very distant from me and so silent, these women You have so tenderly placed in my life have reminded me just how close and involved You really are and have been able to speak volumes to me through their love for You and their humility and kindness toward others.

Thank You for the blessing of their friendship and thank You for showing up in such a way that none of us could ever deny You, even if we were to try.

May we each continue to embrace this experience and be able to reach back into the recesses of our minds and hearts, as time goes on, and be able to use it for our service and endurance back here in the valley of daily life.

~Amen.