Things never happen the same way twice

This year during the Mission Volunteers Annual Retreat, I was reminded of the importance of going to a retreat.  As obvious as it may sound, it is quite important to attend retreats for it has a plethora of information that may nourish your hearts.  Though this is common knowledge, sometimes events can get repetitive.  Closing your eyes and heart to the possibility that the Lord will show you something new and exciting.  

 As much as I would like to deny it, more often than not, I find that this is the posture of my heart.  However, this year revealed, as Aslan once said, “Things never happen the same way twice, dear one.”  This year, I allowed myself to open my mind, body, and soul to what is in store for me.  I realized that going to retreats not only gives us the opportunity to see old and new friends, but it allows us to put the world in slow motion. It opens a way for us to be vulnerable towards the voice of the Lord that gets drowned out by the world’s cacophonous voice.  

I have noticed during this retreat that when I’m asked to be silent, my mind continues to talk.  Asking the questions of what if, or planning my next move once I go back to work.  It is so hard to concentrate on the Lord when your plans do not include Him.  Making time for the Lord is a CHOICE.  During this retreat, I chose to do just that.  Though it was the hardest task that I have ever chosen to do, I chose Him and to be with Him above all else.  In doing so, this gave me the greatest sense of peace and understanding of what He wanted of me.  The retreat is only just the beginning of this new, yet old, found relationship that I’m learning to build with the Lord and I look forward to what is to come. 

Micaella  "Kei" Sibayan - Mission Volunteer