Detours
As the saying goes, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. And so it happened that my best laid plans to go to Kentucky on retreat did not turn out as I had hoped.
My daughter Lia and I set out bright and early Sunday morning on our 11-hour trip to the Bluegrass State. Three hours into our journey, a warning light appeared on my dashboard: "Check transmission. Service engine soon."
Thinking that the problem was simply a computer glitch, we stopped, rebooted the car, and took off again. All seemed well for about 20 minutes when suddenly the warning light reappeared with the same message. There was little help available on a Sunday, so we returned home.
On the way back, the car jerked and kicked a bit. On Monday morning, I took it to my mechanic who told me that it was a good thing we had returned since the car would have probably died along the way.
I fought frustration because I had just had my car serviced the week before. Moreover, I had called my mechanic again two days before the trip to confirm that all had been taken care of and that my car was indeed in a condition to take a long trip. He assured me that all was well.
So why did this happen? Only God knows. And all I can do is trust that His ways are higher than my ways, and His thoughts are higher than my thoughts (Isaiah 55:9).
My car was in the shop for four days. During that time, I held my retreat at home, rejoicing that God always knows best. In this I rest.
Blessings,
MaryAnn
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Comments
Dear MaryAnn:
Bless your heart! I kept thinking of you and your daughter last week--picturing you having a wonderful, relaxing retreat and coming home renewed! But what a Godly example you have set for us in accepting the Lord's agenda instead of lamenting your own plans gone astray. I'm so glad you still had a retreat at home, and I'm thankful you continue to share your wisdom with us--what a blessing you are! Sending a hug from Georgia, Patti :)
I think of the quotation,"The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray."
Dear Maryann, altho we both still had our private retreats, I did regret not getting to see you again! I am so glad to get the info about the Holy Cross Abbey in VA. This sounds more equi-distant for both of us, so let's check it out! love, rose
Delays are often God's way of protecting us. Imagine what might have happened if you were half way into your trip.
God is good!
I'm so thankful I prayed you'd both be safe!!! I thank God that you were able to get home safely! I know the Lord had our safety in mind in not allowing me to get a scholarship to the writers' conference in San Francisco this year...so, even though we're disappointed, along with all the friends we'd hoped to see along the way, we know Romans 8:28 is still true. So glad that you were blessed with your own time of retreat at home! Just getting apart with God is what counts, not where.
Blessings! :-)
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Dear MaryAnn,
I am sorry you missed the retreat center, but I'm just as sure that God blessed your time of rest and reflection at home.
There is an abbey outside of Leesburg, Virginia--Holy Cross Abbey--that also offers private retreats at super reasonable rates. It's right on the river in the midst of a huge farming area. The monks make the best fruitcake ever! They offer retreat guests the opportunity to join them at meals and prayer times, but otherwise you are on your own in a silent world. I've always wanted to go there for a retreat. Anyway, that might be closer to you than the place in Kentucky.
Vie