WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
As I am writing I am on my way to a four-day women’s retreat called Women Who Want More. When I heard retreat, I was excited and wanted to go. I didn’t even know the name of it when I signed up and paid. Retreat means to withdraw to a quiet or secluded place. Ok, who wouldn’t want that? When they sent me the confirmation I saw the name of the event. I hadn’t thought much more about it until now. That reason is of course that I have been too busy to be able to stop and ponder it.
I am sure that like myself you are probably in the same boat. Tired and busy, moving at warp speed doing what you love and what you must do. Over the years I have heard this from many of the women (and men) that read my articles. Thanks for reaching out and please continue because I have loved meeting you all and hearing your stories. It helps me to grow, and the connections have been life-changing.
As I thought about wanting more, the theme of the retreat, I wondered what that represents for me?? As I began to think and pray about it, I landed in a couple places in the scriptures, a few verses that speak about the word more.
“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”. (Luke 11:13)
“A wife of noble character who can find. She is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
“All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.”
(Proverbs 21:26)
“…While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:2b)
“To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” (Mark 12:33)
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (Proverbs 22:1)
“…Because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.” (2 Thessalonians 1:3b)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”
(Ephesians 3:20a)
All of these “more” verses are amazing and powerful. Any and all of them are such a blessing to me, but is there one that stands out and that is for me right now? Is there one that stands out for you? I believe that God will show you and you will know. I want you to claim it and hold onto it in this season. God’s word is living and active and it’s powerful to accomplish what He intends for it to do. The Bible says that it is more powerful than any 2-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intents of the heart. (from Hebrews 4:12)
It’s funny because I didn’t know how many women would be there. I knew it was a small group, but not the exact number. There were 10 women and I had already put these 10 verses in my writing. I believe that they are one for each woman. I am sending them this article and I know that they will know which one is for them. That’s the kind of things that God did for each one of us while we were there. I brought home all kinds of things that were personal for me from Him. Things that spoke so clearly to me about what I needed and how God sees me.
As a leader and as a wife and mom, I needed a soft, secluded place to rest and be rejuvenated. Rejuvenate was the word that I was given on the last morning as we prepared to leave. It was perfect for me, and I chose it out of a stack of cards that were upside down. Also, right before that I chose from another pile of cards a picture of a woman holding a small child (pictured below) and it was so comforting for me immediately when I looked at it. It held so much meaning to me.
The facilitator of our group told us that she was going to give us some things to take home and continue to look at for growth and encouragement. As soon as she gave me the picture of the mother, I began to journal…
This is a woman holding and comforting a small child. I love it. That’s what I want to do for my children and grandchildren, as well as others who need it. It makes a very sweet and soft place for people to land and heal. It’s who You have made me. It comes naturally to me, but I need You, God, to anoint me and to work in and through me. Thank You that You are that for me and I receive it from this time away. You have given me new energy through this time with other women that were a safe place for me.
I wonder how God might want you to be refreshed and renewed. I highly recommend taking some time for yourself to sit and listen and pay attention to the inner promptings of the Spirit. I pray for you to know God is with you and that He loves you. He has a plan for you and what seems impossible is coming even though it seems a long way off. If you need some help finding something like this, please get in touch with me. I trust that we will find where you belong and get what you need.
By the way, my verse was the last one. Immeasurably More! Ephesians 3:20 has been a verse that God has used a lot over the last 15 years and more in my life. Incredible to think about the word immeasurably. It means that I can’t even measure how much more! More than I can even ask and imagine. That’s what God has for me, because of His great power working in me. That’s the power of Christ and His resurrection, the same power that raised Christ from the dead is actually what the scripture says. The power of God that raised Christ from the dead is also raising me and empowering me to live now and forever. And that is for you too. He did it for the whole world. Believe it and receive it, and then live it out. We live by faith, not by sight. When it looks the darkest is when we have to remember and believe His promises.
I’m asking and believing for you and with you. Which verse speaks most to you? Own it and keep it somewhere that you can go back to. Also find a secluded place to rest and receive. We all get tired and worn out. I pray it will be a gift to you.
