August 2014 Poudre River Retreat
Poudre River Retreat
Each year I go on a small little retreat up to this spot on the Poudre River. It started many years ago actually it was the summer between Kiesha’s Sophmore and Jr year. Things were getting pretty tense between the two of us, she was in her teenage drama years and I was at my last thread of hope as a single mom who ran out of skills. I needed a break and a time to have a retreat with God. At the time money was tight so I decided to fast that day and go up to the river and spend some quiet time with God. I drove and drove until I found a spot that I could sit and be alone and pray. I found this incredible rock and a nice part of the river. I sat there and worshiped to God on my ipod and praised him for being in my life. That day I surrendered my daughter over to him. I told him that I can’t be there for every moment in her life and I need her to survive high school and to protect her in all she does. It was so incredible how life changed for both of us after that she and I were back on track and she started to make better choices. So each year I have gone back to this spot and spent some time giving my life over to him. It is funny how each year in July I am pulled back to this spot. Even when I was in Uganda I found myself in July needing the space.
So this year I changed it up a bit. I took a sharpie with me and on a rock I wrote out the prayers I had for my family and friends and my ministry. I through those rocks in the river knowing that God was going to carry them, he alone was the one in the storm that was going to take care of the prayer requests and needs. It is therapeutic to toss those rocks in and let go in the storm. I praised and worshiped him and sang and danced on that rock like no one was watching me, until people in kayaks came around the corner thinking what is this woman doing….. OH well they got to see a woman seeking her Father and claiming his promises. 2 things came to mind while I was doing this: 1. I remember in a bible study hearing or reading that God has a stone w/ our names on it and when we get to heaven he will give them to us. 2. That as the water rushes over the rocks he will clean the marker off those rocks w/ the force of the river continually flowing over it. Sounds like his perfect love that he has for us each and every moment in the day and it is never ending it just keeps flowing.
I also looked down and saw this beautiful rock two of them together 2 hearts. When Kiesha was little she was into rocks I would have to clean out her pockets before I could wash anything she would have tons of them in her pockets. And one day we were up walking in a cove at horsetooth and she found a rock in the shape of a heart. She was so excited and gave it to me saying she loved me. She was like 6 years old. Ever since she and I have collected heart rocks were ever we go if we find one we take it and add it to our collection. We have them from all over the world. I also being single mom and traveling a lot for work would find them in the country or city I was in and bring them home to her. So this is why I placed a rock on my home page of my website. It is because no matter where I go I know that I will find a heart rock and know that my daughter who was a big solid loving rock in my life is there with me, but so is God. These are the tidbits in life that show you the path and remind you he is incredible and he is there for you. So today when I saw these two rocks together I knew he was there and kiesha was there. It gave me the peace that leaving my family and granddaughters is going to be tuff but God’s call on your life is also the most rewarding thing you can do. He has all of it covered.