The Be Still Workshop Part 1

The Be Still Intensive at the Delight House might have been a little while ago (July 3-6), but we’re still soaking in all that God did there, and expecting so much for the October Delight retreat. Here’s the Be Still Workshop through Abby’s eyes – keep your eyes out for more to come!

The Lord began a work in me, long before I stepped on the plane to travel to the Be Still intensive. The Lord stretched my faith in Him, long before that beautiful, sunny, July day in which the intensive began. But that’s a different story.

Today, I just want to talk about the intensive. What I learned in those sweet and wonderful few days has forever changed me and made me who I am today.

I received one of the biggest blessings on the very first night. It began with each of us being presented with a gift bag. There were a few different things inside, but what blessed me the most was the journal. We each took out our journals and Anna Filly explained how she wanted us to use these journals to write letters to our Savior. Not just any letters, though. Love letters. I was enthralled by the idea. Over the course of the next few days, I journaled in over 20 pages. Even now, over a month later, writing in that journal is one of my most favorite pastimes. I have come to learn that spending time just pouring out my emotions to Christ is forever impacting my relationship with Him.

Now, being still.

It is so important, friends. God doesn’t always call us to “do” for Him. Although “doing” for Christ is important, He also wants us to rest. He wants us to stop striving and start resting in His stillness. One of the things that hit home for me is how much stillness and surrender go hand in hand.

One week before the intensive, I found out that I would be moving to Wisconsin from Washington just 4 weeks later.

I was wrestling with God and fighting His plan for me. I didn’t want to give up my plans for His, but at the intensive, the Lord caught hold of my heart. I learned that as soon as I surrender my plans, and rest in His, He will make all things beautiful. But only in His time.

^Oh dear Anna, Kylie, and Melissa. You all make me so happy.

Also, another thing. Let me just tell you. So many of these ladies I have dreamed of meeting. I have been talking to many of them online for over 2 years. It is such an amazing experience to meet people who you’ve talked to for so long. I remember standing in the Wenatchee airport and being overwhelmed with gratitude and awe at seeing so many Delight girls in one place. It was so amazing.

There are so many other things I learned, and we would be here forever if I tried to type them all out. Overall, I experienced real and authentic community. It’s something that I’ve never experienced before. Each girl there has touched my heart in more ways than I can express. They’re like my sisters now.

I am so, so grateful for the time that I spent there and all that the Lord did. He is so good to me.

So, so good.

^Eeeeeeee!!! Marcia, Kylie, and Shilo. You guys make my heart swell!!

Abigail, or Abby, is a 16-year-old high school senior living in Watertown, WI. Her passions are singing, acting, and hand-letting, and she loves anything involving fruit or hedgehogs. She’s been in Delight for 2 years, and says it’s been one of the biggest blessings ever. Follow Abby on Instagram, or connect with her in our Facebook community!

All images by Savannah Banton of Savannah Faith Photography.