I did something I’ve never done before this past weekend. I went on a “personal retreat” as a result of a “gift” from my lovely wife for Father’s Day. I was booked into a Mennonite retreat center called “The Hermitage” near Three Rivers, Michigan. And in particular, “my room” was an out building called “The Hut.” “The Hut” is a lot like how I envisioned “The Shack” — no plumbing or electricity, far away from other buildings, people, noise, and therefore… distractions. I had to hike a mile (in the dark) to find it, still clothed in my motorcycle gear, carrying my backpack of stuff, carrying a water jug, a flashlight and a map. I was drenched in my own sweat by the time I finally found it. The next morning, I was finally able to get my bearings and see where I really was…

The Hut

The Hut consisted of a cabin built on a few posts in the ground, on the top of a hill in the woods. Outside was a small porch with a swing, and a woodshed nearby. Inside, it has one room with various stations or “rooms” around the perimeter. In the far corner from the door was “The Bedroom.” Next top the bed was a nightstand with an oil lamp (I used in the evening to read some by), and where I put all my “stuff:” cell phone, wallet, keys, flashlight, bug spray, etc.

The Bedroom

In the next corner going clockwise was “The Kitchen.” This is where I heated water to make coffee and hot chocolate. Someone had graciously left a one cup “French Press” there with instructions on how to use it. I also found a granola bar in one of the containers – I ate it. The water jug contained a couple of gallons of clean water – what I used to survive for the weekend.

The Kitchen

To the right of “The Kitchen” was a desk in front of a window where I spent hours reading and painting. In the photo is a watercolor I did of a Ken Gire quote in a book that reads “Our search for God and His search for us meet at windows in our everyday experience.” This image came to mind, so I painted it. It took me a few hours, but it was fun to do. I can’t remember the last time I actually used paint, water and brushes to put an idea on paper.

The Desk - A Watercolor Painting

Moving around again to the right, was “The Living Room” consisting of the entry door, a rocking chair, a wood stove and wood storage bin in the corner. I also used the desk chair to sit in front of the fire. I spent hours gazing into those flames.

The Living Room

When nature called, I had to walk outside, down a hillside path in the woods to “The Bathroom.” This was a very fine outhouse – one of the better ones I have ever experienced. It had a huge window on the door so that you could contemplate a beautiful woodland view while occupied.

The Bathroom

There are many trails on The Hermitage property, one of them passes through this meadow.

The Meadow

I had no agenda for the weekend other than to: unwind, slow down, rest, listen, wait, refresh. I sketched and painted, read a little, watched the fire burn, stood out in the rain, went on a few hikes, made coffee, slept, cleaned hut, sat on a swing, chopped wood, mulled things over, lived in the moment.

Chopping Wood

One of the thoughts that caught my attention was a phrase in one of the books I brought along about how we are “continually arriving” at our destination. It’s a lot like looking at the horizon (see sketch). We see where we want to go and make our way there. When we arrive, we see a new horizon and a new destination. Walking life’s journey as a follower (disciple) of Jesus Christ is like this. We never fully “arrive” because when we think that we have, there is always a new vista revealed before us, and a new destination to embark on discovering. If we allow it, our lives can be continually arriving as they are reshaped and remolded into something that looks more and more conformed to and like Christ. Or, as C.S. Lewis put it… turned into “little Christ’s.”

Continually Arriving

Finally, I’d have to say that even though I went on this adventure with some apprehension, I will probably do this again. The benefits are many. One is just being able to slow down long enough to “hear yourself think.” Another is that being in a place where there are very few things to distract can help you focus your thoughts and attention on things that are more important and eternal. I felt I was able to gain some new perspective on what meditation, contemplation and refection are about. I find that I am also still learning things from that experience as I reflect on it and talk about it with others.