My first-ever Women’s Ministry Retreat at Pulpit Rock was a time to settle my restless soul, my busy mind, and my endless list of tasks that so often make me feel like I’m always in a hurry. Like many women, I came carrying quiet burdens—things I didn’t want to share because I didn’t want to “talk too much.” But this weekend was exactly what I needed. It was a space for my soul to rest and for me to simply be myself, without all the weight I had been carrying.
I remember saying to Andrea on Friday, walking to dinner, “This Tiah is going to be different by Sunday.” And spoiler alert—I was. By the time I drove out of the beautiful Glen Eyrie, I felt in tune with myself again and ready to face life one step at a time. But let me back up a bit.
This weekend’s theme was “Our Story.” We heard personal testimonies and readings from the book Blessed Are the Women– a really good read if you’re looking for something meaningful. The stories give insight into the women in the Bible, ordinary women like you and me. Navigating life, facing what’s been handed to them, and trusting God to transform their circumstances.
We had time together as a congregation and also broke off into smaller groups. I came in with a heavy heart, ready to burst, and found myself surrounded by real, raw, and authentic women on their own journeys. At the core, our stories were all connected. We listened, laughed, and grew in understanding together. We went deep in no time at all, and I left that space feeling both grateful and relieved.
My time alone was spent in a hammock under the trees, reading Soul Keeping by John Ortberg, a book I highly recommend. Ortberg writes that our will, mind, and body are all connected by our soul, so why do we so often deplete it? Why do we treat busyness as the goal? I realized this describes how I’ve been living, keeping my soul from being fruitful and fulfilled.
Ortberg’s mentor, Dallas Willard, teaches that “hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life.” That truth resonated deeply with me. I was able to stop, slow down, and breathe in the goodness my soul had been longing for a moment of peace.
Leaving the retreat gave me new life and a fresh reminder that God is my source. Spending time with Him isn’t a chore; it’s a delight to listen, to be still, and to remember that the Creator of the universe loves us more than we can comprehend.
I’m so grateful for the new friendships formed this weekend and the incredible leaders of our women’s ministry who took the time to bring us together and make it so special for each of us, and for a church that empowers women to grow, heal, and draw near to God.
Tiah
