Living in South Carolina has its distinct advantages. We have four seasons of climate change each year without the temperature extremes other areas have. One nice snow fell January 16th and allowed me to have a magical setting for a theater party. The snow was gone the next morning. South Carolina has what is known as the fresh water coast – a necklace of large lakes extending all the way down the southwestern border of the state. Of course, we have a salt-water coast with a grand necklace of islands and salt marshes. It was in this part of the world I found myself during the weekend – to experience a little bit of Heaven.
After 270 miles of driving in rain accreting from dense cloud, I arrived at Seabrook Island south of Charleston for a three-day men’s retreat. The five hours of travel time was used as a mini-retreat, listening to four CD’s on the merits of prayer as a way to relieve one’s life of complete chaos. The drive was quite uneventful and stress-free. A good omen for the weekend was a complete cessation of the rain during the time I was unloading all of my things from the car and carrying them to a weathered gray cabin on the sand. This retreat center has provided me with many a happy memory in years past and this year was no different. Saturday proved bucolic –74 degrees and clear. Sunday was much the same.
During dinner our first night we enjoyed grouper and shrimp. A five star chef gave up an immensely lucrative career as an executive chef in a hotel in order to have a ministry of feeding top quality food to those that come for retreats and camp experiences. All of our meals were quite opulent and served on linen. Our times were seasoned with stimulating conversation. My table ended up with several pilots who shared their intriguing stories.
There is nothing like being with 160 men in a serene coastal setting who are really seeking to improve their lives and the lives of those they love. These men gathered from several states to hear topical presentations on how to experience the sovereignty of God in the sometimes severe challenges of daily life. We all left after three days rather inspired and well fed in body, mind and spirit. Upon my return home Sunday night I was invited to join a dozen others in a local eatery for another fine repast.
Life was good this weekend
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