If you are a person who goes to church each Sunday and do your best to
live the gospel message, you may think why do I want to go on retreat,
that's for religious fanatics. Maybe you are a person whose faith is
touch and go. You may turn to God in a crises and forget when things start
to go a little better. We all can relate to that kind of faith. Each person's
faith is at a certain stage in his or her life. No one can be judgmental
of what stage your faith is in your life right now.
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Has there been a time in your life that you have asked this question of
yourself? Does God really love me? Does he have time for me? I want to
be loved, and I want to love more, but I'm afraid. If I come closer to
God He will ask more from me. We do not share these thoughts with others
very much. If somehow we can open up a little and let our feelings be known,
we find out that others have the same thoughts and feelings. If we can
pull down the barriers that we put up, such as I can't go on retreat I
don't have the time, or gee I do so much in the Church now, and I don't
need to go on retreat; that's for others. God is quietly nudging us to
a better understanding of ourselves, and how He wants to be more a part
of everything we do.
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If a person asks you to go on retreat with them, they are not trying to
give you something you do not already have. They are expressing their love
for you. You may have something that they desperately need. One thing that
we all need is to be loved. It's hard for us to say that, let alone
think it, but deep down it's there, isn't it? The St. Paul of the Cross
experience is indeed a unique gift of God. If deep down you want to be loved
and to know God's love more fully, this is hallowed ground. Men
and women have come away from this experience being better parents, better spouses,
better lovers of God, and just plain better followers of Christ. You're
looking at one of these people right now, me. If deep down in your heart
you need to be loved, you will never be disappointed at St. Paul's. God's
love is something to behold. We are the image of God. We are like Him in
every way except our sinfulness. So if we ask the question, "Does God have
time for me?" You better put your fingers in your ears, because the overwhelming
answer is YES! YES! and YES! Does He love me? More than you will ever know!
God wants to spend this quality time with you. He wants to let you know
deep down inside you that you are very important to Him. I go to St. Paul's
to be loved, and I am never disappointed. Come and share the St. Paul's
experience with us.
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- An Anonymous Retreatant of Many Years
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(Our author does not put his name on spiritual writings since he says
"They Are Not Cast in Stone." Each person perceives God in his or her own
very special way and his writings are just to bring thoughts to your mind).