Words with no Sound

Playing Sequence and Sorting hazelnuts for work duties

This week was full of the unexpected. It started with getting sick, and not being able to participate fully. This was somewhat of a challange because I am the sort of person that pushes myself to go farther, and get involved. Still I think this had a purpose. It forced me to have to sit back and start observing, which became a big part in what I learned this weekend on the silent retreat. Another area that popped out somewhat unexpectedly was our session on "the making of a great team leader" When I found out that team leaders were to be pick from among the TREKer's there was a fear that gripped my heart. We went over some good qualities like keeping a strong relationship with the Lord, leading by example, delegating, sheparding, and motivating. The whole session got me thinking about being a leader if I was asked, and because of the fear that gripped me it made me think that it was something I couldn't do. Still God is a might God, and full of the unexptected...
On the Silent Retreat once I settled down and quieted my spirit, and was able to start listening, I discovered some very neat things. First, is that on these kind of retreats God doesn't have to say profound things or dig up huge issues that you never realized were there. I learned that sometimes he just wants to BE with you... in silence. A handout we got about silence says "God is a friend of silence...nature...grows in silence" and so can we. During this time I was also able to become more aware of my surroundings. He took my vision impaired with judgement and corrected it. Allowing me to see people in our group in a new way, and giving me a whole new kind of love for each of them. This new kind of love has now given me a sort of peace about taking on the possibility of leading.

Before we left for the silent retreat I had written a prayer asking God to take me aside like he did when he healed the deaf, mute, and blind, and open my eyes, ears, and eventually my mouth when I have learned his words, aswell as to fill me with a deeper love for each of the people on TREK. God answered this prayer this weekend opening my eyes, ears, and heart, but for my mouth I have discovered that sometimes silence are the best words, because it controls the wickedness of the tongue. An answer that came in an unexpected way.
God is continually revealing himself to me and showing me glimpses of his character, and I am learning SO MUCH!

(emailing or blogging you)

(reading assigned books ie. Celebration of Dicipline)