Raphah: An Invitation to Holy Rest

So many have asked me about this new venture God has brought to life! It’s a lot to explain, but hopefully sharing a few interesting ways God is moving will help you see how much God cares and wants to be present in our lives. Through Raphah Ministries, He is creating space for women to tangibly experience His love. With a focus on helping women feel seen, loved and treasured by their Heavenly Father, Raphah Ministries is excited about all that is to come!

Our approach consists of three areas - Bible Study, Retreats and Resources for women in need. God continually has revealed to me the need for women to have their ‘cups filled’ so that they may go out and fill the cups of others without the feelings of overwhelm that typically accompany lives of love and service. He also reminds me often that women are ‘the keeper of all things’. From backpacks and smelly cleats to wounded hearts and skinned knees, we typically hold together and manage so many needs of our families, but also of our friends, neighbors, churches and communities. With busy, often stressed lives, women are in need of a quiet, encouraging encounter with God. Hence Raphah Retreats. That is our hope and prayer for all women - to fully encounter God and be changed forever.

Almost a year ago, God revealed the most beautiful vision for a holy place of respite, renewal and redemption. As a long term goal of this ministry, I wanted to share a sneak peak into His plans for Raphah long term.

Will you join me and read along? I promise, you will want to pack your bags and leave today! Where the presence of the Lord is there is peace and where His Spirit is there is freedom.

You have been invited by your Father to a place of holy rest.

Settle in, friends.

I want to invite you to join me.

Imagine yourself packed and ready for a much-needed weekend away.

A sweet friend has invited you and taken care of every detail.

Is there anything sweeter than an invitation extended by a trusted friend?

Your typical get-away would feel much more hurried and rushed.

Lots of pretty clothes to pack, the details of shoes and jewelry and all the impressive things a weekend away needs.

But this one, this get-away seems so different.

You can feel in your bones how your heart aches to leave the daily trap of appearances and perfection.

You simply want to be away from the harsh pull of it all and be still.

It’s Thursday afternoon and your destination is only a short hour away.

With one bag loaded, you remember the tiny paper you had scribbled out your burdens on quickly the night before.

The only preparation your host had requested.

You wonder if you really got them all down.

As you drive your mind reels.

The disappointments.

The fears.

The regrets.

The challenges.

All those things come rushing in as you drive.

Could one small card really hold it all?

Am I brave enough to even begin to share them all?

Not to mention all things you are leaving behind that need to be done - there is laundry, there is cleaning, friends to check on, family to care for, the weeks ahead loom busy and bustling with way too much.

You attempt to settle your heart so you pray.

You ask God to join you; to come along with you and bring peace to those things that are beginning to overwhelm your soul.

Your hunger for more of anything than what you are living day to day is immense.

You have visited beautiful resorts, you have flown hundreds of miles searching for peace, you have tried it all…and all have come up short yet again.

Your heart slows a bit.

You decide to simply ask for more of Him.

Your voice barely utters a whisper.

You honestly know you have neglected Him over the last few months, life has been too busy.

You wonder if he will even want to show up with such a last minute invitation.

In just a moment it seems, you sense a change.

Your heart’s rapid beat seems to have relaxed even more.

As your thoughts seem to settle on Him, He comes quickly.

He sees your weary, worn out heart and He longs to give you peace.

Your renewal is His reward.

Your healing His heart’s one desire.

His great love for you moves Him closer and closer as your spirit begins to breathe.

The last turn comes quickly.

As you pull into your destination it is more than you could have ever imagined.

You let out a long, lingering, deep breath as you roll down your window to simply inhale the scent of long needle pine.

Just ahead you see the faint glow of a flame.

You drive a bit further and catch your breath.

Before you is the most beautiful winding gravel drive.

As you turn onto its path, the crunch of your tires seems to almost crush the overwhelming stress you have carried.

With each bend in the long road, your mind eases more.

The sense of God’s presence nudges you to ask for even more of Him.

Your eyes grow wide as you meander through the dense forest sprinkled with little glimpse of light.

One last turn and the canopy of trees gives way to a magnificent gate.

As you pull over and park, you stop to consider, could this be what your heart has been longing for?

As your one small bag is loaded into the waiting cart, you are reminded of your list.

With it in hand, the attendant encourages you to step near the constant flame beside the massive gates.

The stone beside it simply says ‘Altar’ with a smaller inscription stating, ‘Lay it all down.’

I realize at that moment perhaps my list should have been much longer.

The attendant encourages me to take as long as I need.

She speaks quietly and beckons me to linger longer over those things that have become such burdens in my life.

I quickly understand that the beginning of my respite must involve complete surrender.

This act of burning my heart’s heaviest weights is really an act of freeing me.

This really is just the beginning of my journey.

Once inside, I already feel lighter.

I am welcomed by the faint instrumental sound of “How Great Thou Art” and in this very moment, I actually can sense that.

God’s Presence looming larger than life itself.

As I am escorted to my cottage, I notice reminders with every labored step.

Along the path we are walking, etched in the stone are the very names of God.

As if I were standing firm on His very promises as I journey to find rest.

Ahead I see the glimmer of sunlight on the water and can hear it lapping against the rocks near the shoreline.

Just the faint sound seems to bring peace.

To my right I see a beautiful prayer garden.

With seasonal cutting flowers and well worn paths.

I can only imagine the prayers prayed over time as weary souls have meandered through it - row after row filled with scents of heaven and promises of growth.

To my left is a welcoming building with large, open windows.

As I peer in, I see women like me painting, arranging flowers, and even reading in quiet corners.

Written high near its rafters I see the words ‘Renewal Center’.

Did I even know my heart was aching for renewal?

Just ahead as we step onto the path to the tiny cottages, I see an open air chapel.

Its rafters reach, beckoning my heart higher and toward holier ground.

The cross in its center is a beacon of grace in the late afternoon sunlight as it fades.

As we near the chapel, I see several massive fire pits and the longest, most beautiful wooden table I could have ever imagined.

It has rows of benches and chairs, more than I can count.

Overhead are twinkle lights strung over the low hanging branches.

I can almost imagine God at its head.

With open arms displaying the feast He has in store for His children.

I could see myself sitting close to Him, leaning in for more.

As I turn back toward the lodge, I notice a tall stone tower, its rooftop completely flat.

I ask the attendant about it and she explains that it is a prayer space that overlooks the treetops and beckons visitors to see the stars.

The very stars God once numbered and named.

My heart quickens as I imagine my time there.

Simply me, the stars and God.

We carry on our trek to the cottages, but honestly, with each step I want to stop and soak in all of God that I feel around me.

I can tell the attendant is being very quiet and intentional with my heart.

As we come closer to my cabin, she explains a few property amenities.

The lodge has a vast lobby with several inviting spaces.

A library with a roaring stone fireplace, a quaint dining area, several meeting spaces, as well as a place to enjoy hot tea, coffee and fresh juices.

All beautiful, spacious and waiting for me.

Upon arriving at my room, she opens the door and allows me to step in first.

I literally feel my shoulders relax and my mind quiet with my first step into this sanctuary.

The room is simply perfect - a plush bed, a simple reading nook with a prayer bench, a candle burning on my bedside table and smells of heaven.

Fresh flowers greet me on the small writing table, and the cathedral height window allows me a view of God’s glory all around.

Before I return to my senses, I notice the attendant has quietly left me all to myself.

On my bed is a simple prayer and a list of options for the afternoon.

The first of which is rest.

I decide to pray and as I am praying, I feel the Spirit’s nudge.

It is really ok to just rest.

I quickly slip off my shoes and without even undressing,

I fall into bed.

Tomorrow will be a new day.

With my mind stilled and my body rested, I will be excited to join the others for worship.

But for now, my heart longs to rest.

And, God understands.

He desires for me to be cared for.

He longs for me to enjoy time away with Him.

It is His heart’s greatest desire.

For my heart to simply be with Him.

And, as I sink into the soft covers, all around me is a Holy Hush.

The very breath of God.

I am safe.

I am seen.

I am loved.

I can simply be still and know God.

Because He is enough.

And, with enough of Him, I can go back to my world.

Filled and fruitful.

For His purpose and glory alone.

He is my resting place.

Hidden in Him, I have no lack.

My heart is at peace as I rest.

Little did I know it was God Himself, my faithful Friend who had extended such a hospitable, life changing invitation.

My heart rests in gratitude, hope and renewed faith.

I hear God whisper, ‘Raphah’, just be still and know me.

I will be exalted in all the earth, yet I choose you.

You are my treasure, sweet child. Just rest.

Our prayer is that God’s vision would come to life quickly! Please join us in praying for its ongoing provision, purpose and God’s perfect plan. If you would like to be part of God’s vision or to know more, please go to our ‘Connect’ page and complete the information there. We would love for you to join us on this beautiful journey!