Family Retreat: Seek the Heart of God

Does your family need to refocus on the most important thing: Seeking the heart of God? A family retreat just might be the answer to help you. Our family just had our first ever family retreat to seek God’s will and purpose for us as a family and as individuals. God has been faithful to keep us close as a family for many years. Now He is doing even more in helping us to learn our purpose and to help us establish a godly home that seeks the
heart of God.

We went to a beautiful place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After a gorgeous scenic drive, we checked into The Inn at
Yonahlossee and started our time with God. Here’s what our retreat time included:

* Bible Study: Psalm 139, Ephesians 1 and Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11-14
Purpose: To see that God does have a plan for each of us

* Family Prayer Time
Purpose: To seek God’s will and guidance

* Individual Private Time with God to Set Goals
Purpose: To be still and hear the voice of God

* Goal Sharing Session ( Also read articles by Cindy Rushton related to goal setting
Purpose: To encourage each other and see how we can help each other meet goals God has laid upon our hearts

* Read article “7 Habits of a Happy Family” by Lorrie Flem
Purpose: To see the need for setting routines and habits to accomplish our goals

* Listening to Hymns and Worship Music throughout Our Retreat Time
Purpose: To stay focused on God and worship Him

* Family Fun Time: Played at creek, board games, sightseeing
Purpose: To make memories and strengthen family relationships

* Personal Relaxation/ Destressing Time
Purpose: To help refresh body and soul

Following the retreat, we continue to use the theme of seeking God’s purpose for our family during devotional time and to make more specific plans to accomplish the goals God has put upon our hearts.

I want to encourage you to try a family retreat. If you cannot afford to go on a trip, here are some alternatives you might consider:

* Go to a local park; Reserve your own private shelter
* Use your church facility to spend time together when no one else is there
* Any outdoor location (weather permitting) that you have access such as a neighbor or friend’s garden, pond, creek,
mountaintop, etc.
* Turn your home into a “retreat center”: unplug the phone, turn off all electronics and seek God

What has God called your family to do? What is His purpose for your life?

These are questions for any family no matter what stage you are whether just beginning your life together, just starting to have children, even if all your children are gone or you don’t have children. You should stay focused on God and seek His heart regularly. Spend special time with Him and He will show you his desires for you. I believe when you do this, you will be amazed at what He wants to do for, with and through you and your
family.

A Word from God:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13

Heart to Heart,
Cindy Calvert

Come, Join the Journey to Heart Restoration…
http://www.CindyCalvert.com