After years of praying, months of planning and weeks of hard work, The Cabin off 39 is officially a THING!

Designed especially to accommodate the needs of a private personal retreat, the once rustic space has been transformed into a comfortable, welcoming, warm space with all the amenities necessary to be cozy, peaceful and transforming. It’s like wrapping up in your favorite soft blanket, curled up in front of the fire with hot chocolate in one hand and your journal in the other. Light a candle, turn on some soft music and you are ready to be renewed and refreshed.

I have thought a lot about these questions, “Who should take a personal retreat?” and “Why should I take a personal retreat?”

Who should take a personal retreat?

That is easy. Everyone.

Why should I take a personal retreat?

We are busy people who value busyness. If we are busy, we assume we have value. But busyness robs us of what really matters. For instance, busyness robs us of deep relationship with not only God, but family and friends as well. Slowing down for a period of time – even if that is only 24 hours – helps bring life into perpsective. It allows a person to refuel, rest and gather himself to be his best self.

How is a personal retreat different from a vacation?

Vacations are taken with other people, perhaps an entire family or group of friends. Vacations are filled with activity such as sight seeing, hiking, sporting activities, shopping, hang gliding, zip lining or whatever the group is into exploring. One focus for our family when we are on vacation is meal time. We love to explore new restaurants and find fun food to enjoy.

A personal retreat is formatted around quietness, unplugging, reading, journaling, listening, letting go. For me, there is a lot of sleeping, especially the first day or so. If massage is available close to where I’m retreating, I try to get one. In an effort to eliminate distraction, I keep my meals simple while still enjoying my favorite foods. Often I have a focus for reading or study. My last retreat focused on the person of the Holy Spirit. Essentially, a personal retreat focuses on holistic self-care with an emphasis on the relationship between Creator and created.

A personal retreat is also helpful during times of change. When my husband lost his job in 2016, we took a week and went to Sedona, Arizona. We did a lot of hiking, ate fantastic food, slept A LOT and processed what we were experiencing.

Two images from scripture guide my thinking around personal retreats. The first is something Jesus said to his disciples when ministry was so overwhelming they hardly had time to eat.

³¹Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

Mark 6:31

The second image comes from Psalm 91. It is a picture of safety, refuge and comfort. Life is brutal at times and invariably, we need a place of refuge. Sometimes we need to retreat into the cave of God’s love. Too often, we take refuge in things that do not provide the refreshment or protection we desire.

¹Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ²This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

Psalm 91:1-2

No matter if you are an experienced retreatant or a beginner, I encourage you to give a personal retreat some prayerful attention. Maybe coming to The Cabin off 39 isn’t your thing, but nearly any place can become a retreat destination. I highly recommend it! Click on this link to take a tour of The Cabin and schedule your visit today!