This might cheer you up on a wet Monday morning ...
It's wet and grey and cold. Half term is over and gone; it's a long time time to your next little holiday. November is upon you and there's so much to do and organise before December 25th. So might you need a break? Or even the thought of one booked in? Some time and space to BE. Even just for 24 or 48 hours ....
Spending the morning tucked up in bed with your breakfast brought to you, and time to read, pray, doze ....
Taking a short brisk walk across rolling countryside to clear your mind and breath deep in fresh air ....
Curling up by a roaring wood burning stove, reading, thinking, BEing ....
Ending the day with a candlelit prayer time in an ancient chapel ....
Sleeping in a large comfy bed ....
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Or maybe you are in need of something more - well, proactive. Long walks, good company, plenty of devotional input to help you reconnect with God ...
Or writing. Time and space and quiet to get those words out and through your fingers, on to the page. Not having to stop to cook or shop or work at something else, but a weekend to write knowing that others are doing the same nearby and will want to talk to you over supper about all those words ....
Or some weeding, maybe; feeling the soft damp earth crumble in your fingers, thinking of the things of the Lord as you tend the plants ...
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And if none of the above are quite what you feel you need - there's always chocolate.
Chocolate as a reminder of the good things that God gives. Of His extravagant grace.
Chocolate that has to be tasted, experienced, enjoyed.
You know you love it. You know it's the answer no matter what the question. God's extravagant grace, that is.
A whole weekend to relish that grace - and the chocolate. What could be more fun than that - and to look forward to spending a dull February weekend having a blast as you go deeper into experiencing that extravagant grace.
Hotel de Chocolate indeed.
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So, as you view the prospect of a November week of wind and rain, a long to-do list, people needing you, not enough time to BE - maybe you need to book yourself in to The Vine at Mays Farm and come and be pampered as you take the time to reconnect with the Lord, be refreshed, remember to remain in the Vine (John 15:4)
The new programme for January to March is available here.
What are you waiting for? Book in - you know you need it!
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And if you can't wait that long ...
If you need time to think about putting Christ back into Christmas, there are still a few places available on the Advent Away Day. Saturday December 14th. Full details if you click here
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Which retreat do YOU need to have lined up, to cheer this week's rush and weather?
Where might YOU find the Lord again?
When do YOU need to come?