God speaks to us personally!

I just want to share a bit about my own experience on the silent retreat. That week, as I really took time just to listen to God, I felt Him saying, “Adrienne you are valued”. That message kept coming to me, through pictures as I prayed, and through the words of others around me. But, it was a word that I struggled to receive. I like to think that I am confident and don't struggle with identity. The word “valued”, or “treasured”, seemed like a word (in my mind) for people that have self-esteem issues. So why was God speaking this word over me? 

Well, God had some work to do in my heart that week. Through some intense and amazing times of prayer, I really began to work through some of the struggles from my past, that have hindered me from truly hearing and believing that I am in fact valued by God. I found myself broken, and in tears, as I began to realize what it truly means to be cherished and treasured by our heavenly Father. God loves me! God values me! God has redeemed me and calls me His own! I am a daughter of the King! Wow! Praying into that truth, and receiving it from God has begun to change how I see myself. I am not defined by my past, but rather my identity comes from who I am in God. Maybe a simple truth, but it was ground-breaking for me this week! 

So, with God really working on my heart, and drawing me into His presence, I entered into the retreat of silence. I will admit I was a bit nervous before we started. I know I'm someone who does not know how to sit still, or deal with silence. I found myself feeling anxious and a bit antsy before we started, thinking of ways to fill all this time. But, I just really felt God speaking to me saying, “Adrienne, just be with me”. 

And wow, was it amazing! To be free from technology, distractions (thought at times silence was a distraction), and noise was very freeing. Suddenly the only thing on my schedule was being with God! It was incredibly refreshing to just “cease striving” and be still before Him (Ps. 46:10). Carrying on with what God had been speaking to me at the start of the week, I continued to experience His love for me, and to hear Him share how much He values me. I found such refreshment in pouring through Scripture, worshiping, and just being with God. I would encourage you all, to really take the time this next week to seek out a time of silence just to be in the presence of God and listen to Him (even if it's only an hour, do it!)