365 First Things: Day 107 -- Be Still and Know That I Am

I have volunteered to be a co-teacher of a women's Bible Study group at our church with my good friend Jill Heffner. I've never taught a class since going to TBC because the virtual size of the church intimidates me I think. But she travels about as much as I do and has led this group for several years, and asked if I would co-teach with her so that we could back each other up as both of us have hectic schedules. Twenty of the women in the group have been studying together for many years--three of us are new and I'm one of the leaders which again is intimidating--hoping they will accept me into this group they are comfortable with. Today, the Women's Ministry leader at our church, Amy, held a retreat for all leaders of women's Bible studies for the fall at a retreat not far from my house called Cedar Brake. It is actually owned by the Catholic Diocese and I have always heard what a beautiful place it is. Anyone can rent out parts of it for retreats or meetings, and on Wednesdays it is open to the public at large who can come and enjoy the quiet for a time of meditation or solitude or prayer and Bible study with a friend. Anyway, we met at one of the meeting rooms there, and Amy taught us how to lead our classes with tips and ideas and outlines, etc. We got our books, talked and had question and answer and prayer. One neat thing that she did was give half the group at a time a one-hour quiet time to go walking through the retreat on the trails, etc. so we could have a time to pray and meditate and read some of the material we had been given. We were to not talk during that time--except to God! I wandered down a trail that led to a cliff ledge overlooking the Leon River. I couldn't actually see the river because the tree growth was so dense, but I could hear the water running and a waterfall somewhere nearby. I found a shady place to sit on the rock ledge (while looking to be sure there was no cactus, ants, rattlesnakes, etc. per my new awareness campaign talked about yesterday!) and settled in to read an article that we had been given. It was absolutely delightful to sit there on a hot day, in a shade with a breeze blowing, water flowing, sky blue, birds overhead and just be still. It was a worshipful setting and an uplifting time--and I plan to make my way back there on Wednesday mornings from time to time to soak up that feeling again and again.