The house is quiet again. The coffee mugs are put away, the porch pillows fluffed, and the final candle has been blown out.
But the peace?
The peace lingers.
This past weekend, we hosted a retreat rooted in Psalm 23, "He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul." And goodness, did He ever.
We named this retreat Still Waters because we wanted to offer more than a break, we wanted to offer restoration. Not just rest for the body, but rest for the spirit. That deep, soul-level stillness that the world seems to constantly fight against.
A Sacred Pace
From the moment our guests arrived, we slowed the tempo. There were no bells, no tight schedules, no rush. Just space to breathe.
We gathered in cozy corners with journals and prayer cards. We sat in the garden with our Bibles open, letting the Word wash over us like sunlight. We read Psalm 23 aloud, slowly, prayerfully, and let each line sink in like rain on dry ground.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures..."
So we did.
We laid down the burdens we carried, the mental noise, the worries, the striving.
And together, we let the Shepherd lead.
Still Waters, Moving Hearts
One of the most beautiful parts of the weekend was our time of creative worship.
We painted, not because we're artists, but because we wanted to express something wordless. There's something healing about letting your hands speak for you. About dipping a brush into color and letting go of control. About laughing over crooked lines and realizing it's not about perfection, it's about presence.
It was worship, plain and simple.
Beauty That Feeds the Soul
From the soft breakfast spreads to the candlelit dinners, every bite was prepared with intention. Hospitality here is more than food; it's ministry.
We set the tables with cloth napkins and crystal glasses, not for photos, but to say, "You are worth preparing for." And somehow, the meals became sacred, not because of what was served, but because of who gathered around the table.
What Remains
We may be back to our daily rhythms, the innkeeping, the planning, the prepping for the next group, but the water is still calm.
The peace is still here.
Because Still Waters wasn't just a weekend.
It was a reminder that God doesn't ask us to perform for Him.
He simply asks us to come.
To lie down.
To be led.
To let our souls be restored.
If you've been running on empty, maybe this is your invitation.
Come.
Sit awhile.
The waters are still.