Strength For the Journey

There are times in our mortal season on earth when we just have to pull back, take a break, continue to remember to breath and then move into the direction God seems to be calling our name. Several of us are there right now.

Several years ago, three sisters were inspired to have a retreat.

One retreat.

One weekend retreat.

Well, that little weekend is now is several states. One sister felt called to build a retreat center on the old family farm. Others joined the sisters as team members in various locations. It was as if the teams formed before we knew we were a team.

What started out as a little inspiration seems to have been given a life of it's own by the Holy Spirit. We are now anticipating weekend 5 here in Bama. An occasional "reunion" was pondered. We try to get together quarterly.

Well.....that sneaky Holy Spirit seems to have pulled a fast one on the Alabama Strength for the Journey group.

We drive one another to chemo. We pray with one another. We take communion as we are able together. Dear Laura calls everybody dutifully. And we accept each other at whatever place she presents.
We are small, large (I prefer my granddaughter's term "fluffy"), white, black, members of a denomination or not, haven't been to a church in a long time, some have financial security,most have none, some are in treatment, some have stopped treatment or are in experimental trials abroad. Some are in remission. Some on chemo for life. Some come for solace during family problems, deaths of a loved one, diseased that don't kill but totally rearrange one's life.

It just doesn't matter. We are all the Alabama women of Strength for the Journey.

I am the privileged to be the Celebrant at the closing Liturgy. If that was the only time I Consecrated every year, I would know God called me for a purpose. Such a sacred and holy moment in our collective lives. To be in the midst of the cloud of witnesses and see how the Holy Spirit has touched them can not be put into words.

No one had a five year plan. We have no funding source per say (there are some gracious givers). There isn't an organizational chart other than the three biological sisters are the final say. I'm pretty sure the three sisters had no idea that this would grow like sacred kudzoo. It surely has a life of its own drawn and nourished by the Holy Spirit. We never know how many repeaters there will be until one registers and who and how a new sister will appear. It isn't until the Friday we begin that we know we can pay the retreat center bill. And on at least one occasions, major presentors were "ifee" due to a medical problem that miraculously (I use this term specifically and not casually) disappeared.

And you know what...it works much better that way! We have a tentative plan, throw out the word, pray that the ones He wants to come do come. And pray the money works so we are able to pay the bill at the Retreat Center that host us each year thus far. And those of us that come exhausted, seem to have a Divine infusion of energy to be His vessel.

And it happens. Year after year....site after site...need after need. Each group seems to move into its own "personality". Our Alabama Journey sure does!!

To Him be the glory, and to Beth, Anne and Laura the graces and blessings to have said "yes".

Strength for the Journey is their Magnificat.

And God has kindly called a few of us to come along with them.
And for that I am ever so grateful, humbled, mystified and engaged

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