L’Abri is the French word for shelter. A friend from church and I took a journey to Switzerland to visit a retreat center called L’Abri for some rest and time with the Lord. This community encourages its visitors to bring honest questions and live in community with one another. Days are spent studying personally, in small group and as a community; making meals, cleaning, sleeping and praying.
It was truly one of the most life-giving few days I have had in my life. Cooking in the kitchen with three total strangers from all over the world talking about everything from prayer to accents was such a joy. Giving over my heart completely to God with a view of the Swiss Alps was transformative.
But it doesn’t take a trip across the Atlantic to find Christ’s love. It was there all along.
I found that meditating on the gift of God’s sacrifice is such a beautiful outpouring of love that we can and should treasure every day. John 13:1 says that He loves us fully. If He loves me that much, why is it so hard to find the time to devote and give Him the thanksgiving He deserves? Why do we allow our schedules to get so busy that we begin to do things out of duty rather than joy?
I believe we all need to get away from our hectic lives to reflect on these things. Retreat. Take a walk at one of the local trails if you are able. Sit at a bench in the park now that it is warmer. Buy or cut some flowers that bring you joy to see the beauty in the creation that He made. Write out the goodness of who He is and what He has done. If life is hard and heavy, sit in the silence and just know He loved you first and continues to love you in the quiet.
Switzerland was so beautiful it was hard to pick just one picture, but I’ll share this one. And here is a famous L’Abri salad dressing that was one of the best I’ve ever had! Enjoy the flavors and view. God is so good and surrounds us in all things. May you find Him wherever you may go.
Red Onion Dressing
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
¼ cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 cup Olive Oil
1 tsp salt
½ small red onion chopped
1 tsp of dry or regular mustard
2 Tablespoon of water
Blend with a blender stick (immersion blender) and serve! The interesting pink color is normal.
ABOUT THE BLOGGER:
Susan Veenema and her husband, Jeremy, love exploring Chester County with their two older biological daughters and three adopted children. Susan has been in education for almost 20 years supporting children with disabilities and their families. She currently works at the Department of Education. One of her greatest joys is leading Thursday night women's Bible study and her couples community group. People are her passion. She loves to read, write and study everything from history to social sciences to the early church. You'll always find her trusty German Shorthaired Pointer by her side.