Time To Retreat

As I write this I am getting ready to go on my annual retreat. Often when we think of that word it may conjure up an image of going backward or moving away from something in a stance of defeat but that is not the case. My reflection today brought me to see this word through my experience of teaching little ones phonics for many years (perhaps more than I'd like to own up to!). Each year we would get to the topic of prefixes such as un-, pro- and re- to name a few. Adding these little sounds to the beginnings of words impacted their meaning in some way. In the case of re- it usually meant (we all know that our language has many exceptions to the rule!) to do again. It was pretty easy to explain that rewrite meant to write over again, or how remake was to make again and my second graders could always come up with examples of their own. But today, as I am thinking about my upcoming retreat, I am thinking that it is truly a gift to be able to re-treat myself each year by spending this special time with God. Throughout the year I may treat myself to an ice cream or a movie but those things as scripture tells us are passing. To treat myself, to be in the presence of God in this special way, to let go, if only for a week, of the many things that often distract me from God's presence in my life is a blessing that takes root within and remains to be drawn upon throughout the year. So I am off to RE-Treat myself to a wonderful week. A week of quiet reflection and conversation with my God. A week to rest, renew and refresh body, mind and spirit. What about you? Can you take some "Mary Time" out of your "Martha World"? It is hard sometimes to let go and let God, but go ahead treat yourself and perhaps you'll be re-treating for years to come.