Oh my, what a week it has been! in a span of seven days I have traveled from Georgia to Kentucky, attended a missions conference, and have just returned from a weekended at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The Abbey of Gethsemani is a monastery here in Kentucky about an hour south of Louisville. The Cross Conference was something else, but this past weekend I experienced something I have never experienced before. I was finally able to rest in God.
Monasteries are places of worship, study, reflection, and most of all silence. All throughout the facility where signs that read "Silence is spoken here." I literally cannot think of a day when I have been silent; I'm quite the talker. However, in this new environment I "forced" to practice the art of silence. For those of you who are chatty Kathy's I know this sounds stressful, and it did to me at first as well, but the silence was surprisingly peaceful.
During this three day weekend at the Abbey I was able to focus solely on God. I turned my phone off and put it away and brought out my Bible, journal, and a few books that I had just gotten at Cross Conference. This atmosphere of silence allowed for me to have minimal distractions and was truly a blessing! I would encourage each and every person, Christian or not, to experience a weekend get away to a monastery.
Here are a few lines from my journal that weekend that continue to encourage me on a daily basis:
1. "I want to know you LORD! I want to know you more deeply than before!"
2. "You are beautiful LORD and you are worthy of my whole heart."
3. "How great is the Father's love for us!"
4. "Let us find peace, comfort, and rest in you and you alone LORD for you are enough."
5. "I want to be patient and rest in you Lord."
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