I got up the next morning and read the scripture for the day, John 1:35-42. In preparation for my retreat, I purchased the 2023 Sacred Space prayer book. I took the picture just before adding to the painting, rather than just after. My pictures are a bit off from the story time line. As the words came loud and clear over the sound of the ocean and landed firmly in my heart, I found myself praying, “Yes, I know I am your child.” The response came back, “You have more to learn about what it means.” I came back to my room and added a basic tree form, uncertain what being a child of God had to do with the tree I was painting.

As I was walking, I began to hear the words, “You are my child.” I often talk about being a child of God, about finding my identity in Christ. The next day I went for a walk on the beach. I took a picture prior to painting, but did not take a picture of the painting That first night I simply set up my paint supplies and painted a background. With her encouragement I took a leap into the unknown, I did know that in some fashion I was going to paint a tree, but I didn’t know much else. I knew that she had planted this seed in my soul. She is finishing up her dissertation on Art as Spiritual Formation, something I have been reading and helping her with. I am not a “trained” artist, so I really wasn’t even sure what paining supplies might be appropriate, but I stopped a Joanne’s and purchased a variety of items.Īs I got back into my car, I sent a text to my spiritual journey partner. As I drove into Astoria the idea came to me that I should stop and buy some painting supplies. It is a four-and-a-half-hour drive from my house to the hotel where I stay.Īs I left my house, I already had a word, “rooted.” Back in October I began to read Randy Woodley’s book Becoming Rooted, the word rooted has been percolating in my soul since. Each year I come home with a word, phrase, or verse that will be my ongoing meditation focus for the next year. Each year I leave knowing that God will show up and surprise me. This is the fifth year I have made the space for a spiritual retreat. Last week I went on my 2023 spiritual retreat at the beach.

Randy woodley becoming rooted