A Weekend With The Girls

Well, have it be said... I have had a weekend out with the girls ;-) A hesitated weekend taken, I might add.

By hesitated I mean...A 'ladies' retreat is not something I really *ahem* deem necessary. Notice the *ahem* (clearing of my throat) because I know that can step on some little ladies toes. I could go into all of the details of why I feel that way but really, it is not something worthy of discussion. Now, if you are really curious for reasons of personal growth, feel free to ask :-)

But, to a ladies retreat/weekend I did go. And it really was a wonderful time. (ha! aren't I so funny) Let me tell you why it was so wonderful. It's not all of the bells and whistles that make it so great, it was the time together. And it is sad that we do not take the time to be in fellowship, spurring each other on more often. It should really be more of a priority.

While at something like that, with the opinion I have, often times I can become very judgmental or critical and that can take over my joy. So many times in scripture Jesus and many others spoke about the importance of finding joy. So a critical spirit I left at the door with the help of the Lord.

Paul says in the book of Philippians,

1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The truth is, we live in America where a lot of ladies need those bells and whistles to hear God sometimes. Well, I wouldn't say need... maybe I would say 'conditioned to need' and when Paul says

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others...

I have to look at that and choose joy for where I am. Making the most of every opportunity for discussion with the ladies, sharing stories, struggles, getting closer to each other, all the while; considering others better than myself and realize I don't have all the answers, yet praising God for the wisdom he has chosen to bless me with. And not the kind of wisdom for "teaching people" but the wisdom, to actually put to practice what Paul is saying in that text and loving others more than myself. Because, even though I have the convictions I have about such events, that could very easily ruin any relationship building I could be doing while God does have me in that situation.

So, with that said: We giggled so much, shared so many stories; some heavy, some light, some absolutely hilarious. We enjoyed coffee together, we ate meals together, stayed up late talking together, encouraged one another, and... hmmmm what else? oh, yea... heard a few speakers. Isn't that funny, it's the time together you remember the most. It's no wonder Jesus did most of his teaching, not from a pulpit (or a rock/mountain, ha!) but rather at a table, a party, or just walking down the road. I sure am glad he took that time to build relationships because like it said:

[Christ] 6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

Human likeness we don't always have to agree with it, but we still need to have a Christ like attitude and do with what we have, never becoming stagnant but always taking the most of every opportunity to make yourself nothing.

With that said, please be like Jesus and forgive my typos tonight, it's late. :-)