Lessons from Retreat 2018

 I was blessed to be able to attend the Ladies' Retreat our congregation had this past weekend. As you can see from this picture, I also got to speak on one of the sessions (I am such a hand talker!). It was all so good, from the fellowship with my Christian sisters to the food to the laughter to the reminders we all needed about how to better love each other and others. Except for the lack of sleep, it was just what I needed.
Saturday night, we played some "minute to win it" type games. Each team had to find the best person to send for every new activity. Who had the longest thumb? Who could do the best cartwheel? Not me! Who could blow the biggest bubble? Who could find a scripture the fastest? Who could balance a book on her head the longest? My team didn't win, but we had a great time trying each new challenge. As I've thought about it more since coming home, I think there was another lesson we could have emphasized, too. Every team had someone who was the best at that particular task. Not everyone could do a cartwheel or stand on one foot or throw a paper airplane, but there was usually someone who could. And if you think about it, isn't that the way we work as a church family, too? Not everyone can give a Bible lesson (I'm just now growing into it) or lead a song or say a prayer or prepare food for 25 women or organize a whole weekend of activities or ... well, you get the idea. But there's always someone who can. When Paul tells us to use our talents, it doesn't mean they have to be like everyone else's, but it does mean we have some. So, dig down and figure out what you're good at. Can you send a card of encouragement? Can you listen? Can you organize? Can you pray? Think and pray about it and then let God use you. It takes the whole team to be able to win.

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