My friend, Liz and I decided to plan a Holy Yoga mini retreat for some friends. When I say this, what I mean is we got absolutely giddy about the idea and started planning every detail down to the cucumbers in the big water jug on the counter.
We thought about what we would want for resting and relaxing. We wondered out loud…what do women need?
Liz and I had been dreaming about something like this for years. Before I even knew about Holy Yoga. But it didn’t materialize until now. Because now was the perfect time. See, here’s the thing I know now…all the planning in the world won’t bring the Holy Spirit in…all the lemon water and organic salad and crisp sheets and brand new journals and pens won’t bring Jesus…We can plan every detail to earthly perfection and it can still feel empty or forced or fake.
But when you invite the Holy Spirit in…when you ask Jesus to show up…when you speak His name in gratitude and enthusiastic expectation…you will be blown away by His presence. He knows what we need and He brings it. I can’t possibly know what every woman who was at that retreat needed so how can I plan for that? But I know the One who can provide for them exactly what they need. So I call on His name.
We prayed. We prayed for the Holy Spirit to come in. I think of the worship song, “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here…come flood this place and fill the atmosphere…your glory God is what our hearts long for…to be overcome by your presence Lord.”
Oh the years of trying to plan every detail of every thing…in my home, for Great Big Yes, for my marriage, my children, my social life, my writing, everything I was doing…the desire for control and the attachment to outcome kept me in chains.
Holy Yoga has taught me that God is God and I am not. What a relief. I have been set free.
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” Galatians 5:1
The retreat was a mountaintop moment. But what now?
We didn’t want to leave…it was so good…He was with us. We are like Thomas, “But we don’t know the way….”
And we hear Jesus assure him and us…I am the Way. Follow me.
I don’t have to know the way, I don’t have to have every detail perfect, I don’t have to know what’s coming next, I don’t have to solve anything, change anything, fix anyone, rehab my entire life…I need to get to know Jesus better.
He is the way.
©2014 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big Yes™, All Rights Reserved
Sue,
I’m still so giddy and feel so at peace! I love that I came with hopes and expectations and left seeing that God has big plans and when we are all gather in his name, he blessed us more than we expect and deserve ! His Grace and love was so apparent in those two short days!
Thank you Sue for sharing your love of Jesus with all of us! I loved all the real conversations we had and the compassionate ears!! I definately felt an awareness to slow down and just listen.
Thank you to everyone that came.. Not knowing what to expect from Holy Yoga and a retreat.. We learned to just show up loving Jesus that it is enough! We are children of God.
Amen!!
Liz! God is SO GOOD! THANK YOU for opening your home to us! Thank you for supporting me and Holy Yoga. Thank you for dreaming big dreams with me 🙂 I love your generous spirit! My heart is full. I am so grateful. Can’t wait to plan the next one!
I always knew that God works in mysterious ways! But I never pictured it at a lake house with many women I have never met. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget! Every women was great with an abundance of knowledge and generosity towards life and each other. I want to give a special thanks to my old friend Liz for the invitation and a warm welcome in her house. Then a special thanks to my new friend Sue that helped me put many parts of my life and practice together with NO judgement!
HOLY YOGA ROCKS!!!!!!
Namaste,
Midge
Midge!!! I’m so glad you were there- I LOVED getting to know you!! It was so good to talk life and yoga and faith with you my friend.
Looking forward to practicing together again soon!
Blessings!!
What a great way to start my week. I’m so happy you gals had a beautiful weekend. It looks like the perfect setting too. You are truly inspirational Sue. I hope to return to class this summer when work slows down. Keep up the good work…you are making a difference!
Thanks Kristin! Hope to see you soon! 🙂
It was perfect Sue, absolutely perfect! xoxo
Christina, I’m so blessed to be on this journey with you! 🙂