Prairie Home, Missouri
About Retreating: A Magnificent Obsession
by Dr. Susan Murray Smart
Why Retreat?
As we do life, we constantly encounter various surprise attacks, challenges, losses, and attention-stealers. And as we approach what we expect to be the next task, we are continuously struck by chaos and unexpected interruptions. On any given day, we find ourselves dealing with work, kids’ issues, relationship struggles, health concerns. So often we set goals and fail to meet them. We may choose to be patient with ourselves, but often we become frustrated with slow-downs and irritated with someone around us---and often with ourselves. We may find ourselves discouraged, confused, or overwhelmed, and find ourselves asking, “What’s the point?” Or perhaps we simply feel like a ‘failure.’
I entered a personal relationship with my heavenly Father as a college freshman and was taught and discipled by a wonderful woman. But I often felt overwhelmed and anxious when events would approach, being afraid I would get a bad grade or miss something important or disappoint the person next to me. I was anxious, even battling chronic low-grade depression from a less than wonderful upbringing. Though I went to church regularly, I knew little about trusting Him and walking moment by moment with awareness of His presence with me.
A number of years ago, a friend (who later became my husband, Bill!) was going to a monastery to spend a weekend retreating. I immediately felt a passion to follow along--not that I had ever been to such a place or done a ‘retreat’ by myself. But something about time alone, being uninterrupted by noise or people around me, seemed unbelievably appealing. So I was allowed to tag along, and for two and a half days, I experienced a time that proved simple, unique, and memorable in my spiritual formation. It was an introduction into my understanding of what it means to meditate as a child of my Heavenly Father, as though I was sitting on His lap and looking up into His eyes.
Upon entering the monastery, situated among acres of trees and hills, I experienced something new! I had never previously encountered it--what seemed to be the quiet of simplicity and humility. That is, a retreat from my world, where I could focus on my own spiritual formation. Surrounded by simplicity and quiet, I found a clear opportunity to focus on quieting my own mind and heart so I could tune into the Spirit of Christ, who lives in my heart. Free of external distractions--with no one trying to get my attention, no radio or signs or advertisements showing up in front of me to divert my mind or my heart, it was my choice what I thought about or if I spoke to anyone around me. I could sit or walk in the library or along the guided path in the woods. I could remain silent even passing others. It was one of the first times I knew that I was in charge of what I did and where and how-- and it was fine with me and with those around me..
The alone time gave me permission to meditate, resting in the simple fact that I am in Him, and He is in me. Being uninterrupted by noise or commotion or responsibilities, I was able to rest with the unmistakable joy of being with Him--and just sit there. As the weekend drew to a close, I felt renewed, ready to approach the upcoming days and events with greater balance and focus. My personal retreat was well worth the time.
Life can feel not only busy, but crazy. As we drive down a road and see signs or walk into a room and are struck with words or actions or images, we feel pulled in various directions, often in ways we do not wish to go. Manipulative tactics sneak into our worlds on a daily basis via the media we see or hear--such as FB, radio, TV, internet, ads, billboards, people around us, what’s ‘trending,’ etc, etc. Emilie Griffin, a retreat leader, noted that it can prove critical to free ourselves from these interruptions that gouge and distract us on a daily basis. As she puts it, “since our enslavement occurs most often at the level of habit, it is at the level of habit that our liberation needs to begin” (Wilderness Time: A Guide for Spiritual Retreat , p.21).
She goes on to promise that the spiritual disciplines are how we can come closer to the Lord, which is His desire and His plan for us, and that He gives us the grace needed to do so. These disciplines (e.g., meditation, prayer, simplicity, worship, and study--to name a few) lead us to know and experience the abundant life of God. They liberate us into the good life, which our Father has planned for us. As Ms. Griffin records, we cannot succeed entering into this good life unless we intentionally clear the time and distance from interruptions to pray and seek Him:
"When there is no time to do it, that’s when you most need to unclutter the calendar and go apart to pray. When the gridlock of your schedule relentlessly forbids it is the time you most need retreat.”
When Jesus was asked which commandment was the most important, He responded that the first was to love the Lord our God with our heart, our soul, our mind and our strength. How else can we make that happen unless we prioritize time with Him? And we may do it alone or with a group--either is a good option--as long as we are seeking Him as our first Love. As C.S. Lewis is reported to have said, when asked if it’s hard or easy to love God, “It is easy to those who do it.” Why not be intentional, and do it?
As noted by Gary Thomas (in The Daniel Plan, second session on Faith), it’s a “magnificent obsession” to be drawn to Him as our first love, the glue that holds us together, and the hope that has been given to us for the world and for life to come.
So let's focus on Him, our First Love, and learn to meditate on His character, His will, and His Word!
Retreats can come in a variety of shapes and sizes! What will your next retreat look like?
1.
Personal Retreats: These focus on whatever you wish to focus on: a book, time alone, fun-loving stuff to do ... whatever you choose to do or not do.
Personal Retreats: These focus on whatever you wish to focus on: a book, time alone, fun-loving stuff to do ... whatever you choose to do or not do. 2.Meditative Retreats: These include a small number of people (1~15) who want to focus on learning to meditate.
Meditative Retreats: These include a small number of people (1~15) who want to focus on learning to meditate. 3.Fun Retreats: These include whatever the group wishes to do for a fun time: hiking, playing, learning something new (e.g. baking bread, crocheting rugs, oil painting, crayon art, or whatever!)
Fun Retreats: These include whatever the group wishes to do for a fun time: hiking, playing, learning something new (e.g. baking bread, crocheting rugs, oil painting, crayon art, or whatever!) 4.Prayer Retreats: These include methods of group and individual prayer, along with looking at Scripture to identify exactly what prayer is and what it entails.
Prayer Retreats: These include methods of group and individual prayer, along with looking at Scripture to identify exactly what prayer is and what it entails. 5. Women's or Men's Group Retreats
To contact us at The Hillside, you may email us at thehillsideguesthouse@gmail.com or call us at 660-841-5031
REOPENING ON MAY 19, 2024
After being closed since September 2023 while we’ve made some changes on The Hillside, we are reopening for guests, on a limited basis, on 5/19/24. And we’ll have more space for lodging and meetings. The pictures and lodging descriptions here are not yet updated, but when you contact us about booking, we’ll give you more details.
