Women’s Retreat 2019

This past weekend, I was able to step away from the craziness of life and reflect on who God is and what that means for my life. I am a part of a Christian ministry at JMU called CRU. Every year, the senior women plan and execute a retreat for all the underclass women. The weekend is filled with yummy food, deep conversations, community building activities, and most importantly, JESUS!

Our theme this year was “Consider the Lily’s.” I’ll be honest, when I first heard this title, I had no idea what it was supposed to mean. However, over the course of the weekend, God used this theme to reveal some wonderful things about himself to us.

You don’t have to worry about all of the little things.

I don’t know about you but girl, I am a chronic WORRIER. I like to portray myself as someone who has it all together and that’s simply not the case. I’ve struggled, and continue to struggle, with perfectionism and anxiety. I strive to do all the things and become anxious and overwhelmed when I feel like I am not in control. However, this past weekend, I was reminded that I don’t have to be this way. Living in a constant state of worry was not how God intended life to be.

God is so much bigger than the box that we confine him to.

We are intended to have deep relationship, trust, and full dependence on the Lord. He is the source of everything. Think about that for a second. God created everything. I read something in a book recently that enlightened me on just how big and powerful God is: As humans, we are able to create, but only with things that already exist. Our abilities are limited by the inability to create raw materials. However, God created every single tree, plant, material, and person that is on this earth. Whoa!

We have so much worth and value in God’s Eyes.

In Luke 12:22-23, Jesus is teaching his disciples. He says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what  you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.” I worry A LOT. Over my school work, relationships, comparisons to others, my future, and the list goes on and on. This verse is saying that life is more than just worrying about the small daily things that consume our thoughts. There is something more.

Jesus goes on to say, “Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” It’s important to note that in bible times, ravens were seen as the low of the low. They were filthy, disgusting creatures. Jesus is saying here, if God is able and willing to take care of the ravens by feeding them and providing a shelter for them, how much more will he take care of you?! Even when the world tells you that you aren’t pretty enough, smart enough, or strong enough, you have immense worth in the eyes of God. So much so that God’s deep, tender, sacrificial love led Him to send his son to die on the cross in order for us to have the opportunity to have a relationship with him. You were so valuable to God that he wanted to do that in order for you to know Him. Because you have so much value to Him, He will take care of you. All you have to do is let go and trust him fully with your life.

You are so valued. So beautiful. So loved. So desired.

Reflecting on my lack of trust and the control that I hold over my life was the biggest thing that I was able to take away from this weekend. I was reminded that I don’t need to worry or be anxious. #God’s plan for me is big and beyond my wildest imagination. He will take care of me and provide for me. All I have to do is trust in him and he will take care of the rest.

If you struggle with anxiety, worry, or anything else, send me a message! This life was not meant to be lived alone. We are meant to be in community and have support from those around us. I’d love to talk to you about anything that I’ve mentioned in this blog post (:

All of my freshmen girls (:

How pretty is this view?!