Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Jeremiah 31:15

& Matthew 2:18

(NIV)

———————

Where there is love, there is pain.  But whatever our walk in life, this kind of pain is God’s way of teach us how to pray.  Everything that happens to us spiritually, everything that causes us to grow, will bring us closer to God if we say yes. This is what spiritual growth means.  It doesn’t come from what we do, necessarily, from all our actions and good works.  Sometimes it comes from simply sitting and seeing the shambles of what we tried to accomplish, from watching what was seemingly God’s work go to pot.  You can’t do anything about it, but watch.  This happened to me.  I knew dimly then what I see more clearly today, that this was the moment when God really picked me up and said, “Now I am offering you the union you seek.  The other side of my cross is empty.  Come, be nailed upon it.  This is our marriage bed.”

All we can answer in response to that invitation is “Help me, God!  I don’t have the courage to climb on this cross.”  -

- From Soul of My Soul by Catherine de Hueck Doherty

There can be seasons when our grief and pain is unbearable and we find that friends or family are not able to fill us with what we long for.  Sometimes they can even be the source of our sorrow.  If there is a pain in your heart that has robbed you of joy, may this mini-retreat guide you to a place of healing and love.

—————

Find A Quiet Moment

Create an environment where you can enter into a time of quiet.  You may have a prayer closet or sometimes when our homes are full, the bathroom / shower can be best place in the house for this kind of releasing prayer. It is best to be in a place where you can be still and uninterupted.

Welcome the Holy Spirit to Lead You

Jesus said, “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives…

–John 14:25-27a (NIV)

Describe the Darkness

“The people walking in darkness  have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” –Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
Articulate your pain:

• Can you name the darkness?
• What have you lost?
• What is really the source of your pain?

How do you immediately answer these questions?

Wait 30 more seconds and listen.

Does a deeper answer emerge in the quiet?

When pain is deep and it rises to the surface, tears may flow.  That is good and healing.  Weep until all of that toxicity is released to Christ, the one who has already taken your suffering.  You may find it helpful to write or draw your articulation of the darkness that is being revealed.  Or, if you are in the shower, let the water pour over you as you weep.

Welcome Christ As Light

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. –  Hebrews 10:32 (NIV)

Take some deep breaths & sit with the light.

• How does the Holy Spirit guide you as you welcome the light of Christ  into this darkness?
• What do you hear or see with your heart?

Receive

As gently as you can, receive God’s love in all the places you have just emptied out.  Stay in that place of reception as long as you can.  Rest in love.

“Comfort, oh comfort my people,” says your God.
“Speak softly and tenderly to Jerusalem, but also make it very clear  that she has served her sentence, that her sin is taken care of—forgiven!
She’s been punished enough and more than enough, and now it’s over and done with.”

– Isaiah 40:1-2 (The Message)

Respond

What prayer rises in you as you respond to this experience?

—————

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government

and peaceOf the greatness of his government

and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it with justice

and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

–Isaiah 9:6-7 (NIV)

May the peace of Christ be with you.

Amen