In Awe!

(a few pics from the retreat)

Come as You Are not as you want to be.

Last Saturday, I had no idea if anyone would come to the first Holy Pause Retreat. I had no idea if anyone would enjoy learning about spiritual formation and where we get stuck in our spiritual journey. I had no idea it would snow. I had no idea if I 100% heard God clearly inviting me to offer a retreat for women.

I trusted. I waited. I listened. I prayed. I wrote in my 'Dream Journal' on February 18th, 2022, my desire to have a retreat for women and give them space to breathe. I longed to gather women in a safe space to come as they are. I longed for each woman to experience a deeper journey with Christ and take the next step wherever God was inviting them. I paused. This was a two and a half year pause. God would invite me into the wilderness to do some gut wrenching heart work. (It can be very ugly in there.) He walked with me. He gently peeled back layers and layers. He loved me. Tears. Wondering and Wandering. Yearning. Seeking. He reminded me that I am His BELOVED. Learning to be still and for Him to be enough. All the while, not knowing where all this was going.

He took all of it and didn't waste any of it. (That heart work journey continues daily.)

A Holy Pause was birthed.

I want to steward and be faithful to the call and invitation to LOVE HIM and LOVE OTHERS. I get to live out that call by creating spaces that women can come as they are. Loving Him first, means we can't live (really live!!) without learning to be still, pause, listen, notice and hear His holy invitations. It is this beautiful space we can hear, see and be in awe and follow.

Saturday, I was in AWE! I believe that more of His Kingdom was poured out Saturday to women longing to bring more of His Kingdom right where we are. In and through us. I felt God move and I am excited to announce the next Holy Pause Retreat on Saturday, March 23rd from 9-3 if you weren't able to come to the first one, I am inviting you and a friend or group to come! Registration is open and space is limited. Reach out if you have any questions.

Register at https://www.holypause.com/about-5

Just thought I would share some of the feedback from Saturday....

"I loved the pause. I have been struggling to hear God's voice, so I needed that pause. I need to create space."

"Time away is so important to listen to God's invitations."

"So much peace is found when we can be quiet."

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4

Each woman received a Holy Pause Lent Journal. I wanted to share the first reflection with you today! May you meet God is a special way.

I invite you to begin the journey of Lent.  Lent means “to lengthen”. “Through Lent, we come to the realization of our own sin, connect with Jesus during his temptation, and experience freedom from sin through his death and resurrection.” (biblestudytools.com) A time of fasting, repentance and giving to journey deeper with Christ. May this Holy Pause Lenten Journal help you to step into the life of Jesus as we prepare for his life, death and resurrection.  

We will practice three invitations: pause, pray and follow.

Holy Pause

Pause…simply be with Jesus. Breathe. Step into the scripture.  What stands out to you? What do you notice? Where are you in the wilderness with Jesus? Circle or highlight what resonates with you.  Have you ever felt like you are in the wilderness? Ponder that time. 

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The Temptation of Jesus

Matthew 4:1-11 ESV

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written,

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,’

and

“‘On their hands they will bear you up,    lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.

And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,

“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him.

Pray…Come as you are.  Listen in the silence. Step into the scripture again..  Where is Jesus meeting you in your wilderness? What is He saying and what do you want to say to Him?  Have a conversation with God

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Follow…Where will I follow God in my wilderness? What are my invitations today? 

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Reach out if you have any questions about the retreat or one on one spiritual direction. tracietack@gmail.com My greatest joy is companioning others in their journey!

Grace upon Grace,

Tracie Tackett