Retreat Leftovers

This morning I finished a five day retreat with my support group. We watched movies and discussed them and talked about what they prompted us to think about in our own lives. We had never tried a retreat like this before and it went very well.

I listed God's tender mercies toward me and was surprised to find that my home here on the Lake and my experience of God's presence here was at the top of the list. Then my family, the group,and my health.
Without planning it this way, all the movies turned out to be about change. I am sure that there is room for change and growth in my relationship with God. I am convinced that God could not be more present to me and could not love me more. Where the growth happens is in my awareness of God's presence and love and in my ability to love God back and to love other people. That's a life-long project. The retreat intensified that growth.
Movies that are good and true and beautiful make me more aware of Absolute Goodness and Truth and Beauty. They sharpen my eyes to see the Divine in the places and people around me. My morning walks were more vivid. I am grateful for these days and for the persons with whom I shared them.