Matthew 11:28 – Come to me all those who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

In June 1986, my husband and I lost our jobs on the same day. A few weeks later, a Christian girlfriend took me to a weekend retreat in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. There, on a hill overlooking the Fraser Valley, the Catholic priests have built a Retreat House for people to find peace amidst a busy world. Totally self-sustaining, the simple food was delicious. The grounds, with paths to walk beside ponds and enormous rhododendron bushes, provided a balm for my shattered emotions. God seemed everywhere. A separate group decided to have a 24 hour silence and we joined in. For the first time in my life, I had the courage to be silent and face my thoughts.

It was fourteen months before my husband found work and we left my native Vancouver, British Columbia, to move 3,000 miles away to the cold climes of Ottawa, Ontario. That peaceful oasis up on the hill often comes to mind, however, for that weekend retreat marked the beginning of my journey to Christ.

Prayer: God of Peace, and 22nd chances, thank You for the beauty of the earth and places where we may come into silent communion with You. Amen.

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