My New Mt. Sinai

I think I found my new Mt. Sinai...

Today I took a much needed spiritual retreat.  Doing a PhD program in the quarter system gives me little time for personal reflection, meditation or retreat.  But today I finally made time and it was refreshing to my soul.

One of the reasons I haven't retreated is that I am still figuring out San Diego.  I knew Long Beach.  I had my favorite places to run, to walk, to pray and to read.  But in San Diego I have spent most of my time on campus or in my apartment.  I have wandered to the beach, but beyond that I have not explored much.  I knew today I needed something in nature where I would have space to read, to sing, to pray, to cry... whatever happened, but be away from people.  I found that today at Kate O. Sessions Park.  Yes, I am revealing the location of my Mt. Sinai, but for anyone in San Diego looking for a place to reflect, meditate or read, this is perfect and I want to share.  This park is on a hill overlooking San Diego Bay.  There is green grass, trees, running trails, children playing, dogs running, a gentle breeze, and a beautiful view.  I don't mean for this to be a Yelp review, but I wanted to share the beauty of getting away, appreciating nature, and refreshing the heart.

On My New Mt. Sinai

In the distance a vast ocean,

In the foreground green grass, 

All around me a breeze 

And refreshment that lasts.

Birds whistling tunes as

Children and dogs play.

My heart's filled with beauty

What a glorious day. 

Today I was reminded of the importance of retreating for a few hours.  Going some place where you are not known and can be alone with your thoughts.  In the silence, in the beauty, that is when your heart can be free.  For me this was a spiritual retreat filled with meditation, prayer, Bible reading and journaling.  For others it might be reading, walking or napping.  It is so important for emotional and spiritual health to take time to retreat and listen to God and explore what is going on in your heart.

God doesn't always speak right away.  It took me a bit to get focused today.  I didn't know what to read, but I was longing to hear God and bask in his presence.  I settled on Hebrews chapters 10-12.  I read it all, but focused on 10:22-25, 35-36, 11:1, and 12:1-3.  I used a personal retreat guide developed by my Pastor, which you can find on his blog. Through this, God spoke.  He reminded me of the importance of drawing close to him, being vulnerable with others, being confident in my faith and persevering.

The result?  I have an abundance of words and thoughts bubbling over and dying to be expressed.  I have a heart and soul who feel refreshed.  I still have questions about what is ahead, but I have peace that God is writing my story and will never leave my side (that post coming soon!).  I don't know if all these thoughts will make it into a blog post, but no matter, I have a new sense of joy and purpose.

I know we don't need a Mt. Sinai to encounter God, but for me, because I am setting aside time from the everyday and going some place out of the norm, God meets me here.  He also meets me in the everyday, but often on my Mt. Sinai the connection is deeper, the results are more fulfilling, and the joy bubbles over.