I spent the past week at the Dominican Retreat House in McLean, VA. \u00a0I was invited to present two programs to “my sisters” in AA. \u00a0Both retreats blessed me with spiritual sustenance. \u00a0Nurturing the attendees with some new information was the primary “assignment,” but receiving the love that came my way was a gift that truly overwhelmed me. \u00a0I certainly received far more than I had expected.<\/p>\n
The women were lovely, every one of them. \u00a0The food was more than delicious. \u00a0And the Sisters couldn’t have been kinder to me and every other woman too. \u00a0I can understand why some of the attendees have returned dozens of times.\u00a0\u00a0One woman has actually been to 71 retreats over her many decades in recovery. \u00a0That speaks volumes about the programs that are offered and the accommodations the women get to enjoy.<\/p>\n
My own apartment was delightful. \u00a0Not only was it cozy but it included a large living room, two recliners, a couch, a desk and a refrigerator. \u00a0I certainly felt well taken care of. \u00a0The chocolates added to the welcome I must admit. Part of the role of the retreat director is to meet one on one with women who want to have a private conversation which makes the apartment a must. \u00a0These are special times, \u00a0special conversations because it allows us to talk more intimately, beneath the facade that we some times wear in larger groups.<\/p>\n
I came away from the week end feeling like I really knew many of the women. \u00a0I also came away “filled-up” with love and many memories of laughter, great exchanges of information, encounters that will long be remembered and a full heart. \u00a0I hope I am called upon again to visit there.<\/p>\n
Doing retreats like this one is part of my destiny, I’m sure. \u00a0I no longer doubt that wherever God “carries me,” he has a plan for me. \u00a0I used to scoff at such an idea but too many experiences in my life have been so perfectly orchestrated that I know God had a hand in them. \u00a0I know that God has a hand in every experience any one of us has, in fact. \u00a0Perhaps that idea doesn’t resonate with you right now but for a moment, cast all doubt aside and take note of where you have been and where you are now. \u00a0Did you get to This Place<\/strong> of your own volition? \u00a0Or are you willing to admit you had a helping hand?<\/p>\n I know I’d not be doing what I am now doing had God not intended it. \u00a0I have said on many occasions, in books and in talks, that God opened all of the doors I eventually walked through. \u00a0This is not the life I had envisioned but it is the life that I trust is perfect for me. \u00a0Just as every encounter I had this past week was also perfect. \u00a0We will know who we need to know. \u00a0We will be where we need to be. \u00a0We will experience that which calls to us. \u00a0If not now at another time.<\/p>\n Thanks be to God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I spent the past week at the Dominican Retreat House in McLean, VA. \u00a0I was invited to present two programs to “my sisters” in AA. \u00a0Both retreats blessed me with spiritual sustenance. \u00a0Nurturing the attendees with some new information was the primary “assignment,” but receiving the love that came my way was a gift that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-your-experience-strength-and-hope"],"yoast_head":"\n