Four Reasons to Go on a Retreat

Why go on a retreat?

I look back on why I did not go on retreats when I was younger? I was asked several times and I always have some excuse to not go. I was always too busy with work and family.

I was invited to a three-day retreat, and I decided I would try this one, I wanted my husband Don to go on a man’s retreat and he had the same excuse as I. So, I decided to go and come home happy and kind and full of the spirit so Don would want to go on one,

Well, that did not work as I planned, I came home the biggest grouch you could see. So, the next year I went, and I wanted to be a good example for my family. The second day into the retreat I became very sick, and Don had to come to get me. He had never seen me that sick before.

So, I tried a third time to go on a retreat. You know they say, “the third time is a charm”. I went and had a beautiful weekend. I became close to God and the Catholic women of my community. I learned that Satan does not want us to go on these retreats. He knew that once I went and spent time with God that I would have a fire inside me to keep me close to God. I started getting more involved with the church going to classes and bible studies. The church has become family to me.

I try to go on retreats often. They do not have to be for three days; you can go on some that are a couple of hours, a day retreat, or some go on for thirty days. Some retreats are silent where you can sit in the silence of God. Some are where you hear from others and their journey in their faith. There are also Spiritual nature retreats.
 

Here are four reasons why you should go on a retreat:

1. To Imitate Jesus, Jesus would go away to the desert to pray, the bible mentions this often. There was even a time when Jesus went away for forty days into the desert. Jesus is asking us to take time away and spend some time with him. Mark 6:3

2. We need silence and reflection on our lives. There are times for reflection, on a silent retreat it allows us to be attentive to God as he talks to our hearts.

3. To help you learn to be the best person you can be. We listen to Scriptures, listen to what others have learned, that have been in the same situation as you. Finding God in your life.

4. You are tired. Sometimes we are over worked, and we need rest. We need a time and place to leave our worries at home. A retreat allows you time to reenergize, relax and rest in God.

So, the next time you hear of a retreat take time and think:” Is God calling me to come and rest with him? “Going on retreat may be the best decision you can make. For me, it was.



Author Bio:
Dorene Oesterreicher