This Past Week at L'Abri

I experienced L'Abri.

I didn't just read about it, or talk about it, or think about it. I was there.

It was an incredible week of learning and studying, caving and hiking, running and reading. Living amongst people for a week who can appreciate you and love you after only having known you for hours can sometimes be a stark contrast to the world in which we live everyday. Taking, in a sense, a fast of technology, entertainment, and the daily grind opens our eyes to the simple things in life, the small things that matter in huge ways and force us to abandon ourselves until we are utterly free and alive. Like the way the snow sparkled against the the moonlit sky as it fluttered down. And the way the sun rose over the hilltop, creating a canopy of orange and pink, red and yellow. Bare trees cluttered the valley below us and stalagmites littered the cave we crawled through on our tummies. The fire roared in the hearth as heat flushed our faces. I don't even think the word "refreshed" can quite describe the feeling I felt. The gift of Creation on this earth is huge.

There's something about intentionality, opening up our lives and our questions to the few people around us and getting honest, thoughtful answers--or getting no answer at all, only left with more questions. Hearing the stories of others and sharing your own creates a new fascination and beauty for the people around you. God is incredibly faithful in carrying out his plan through us, and intervening in real time to bring about his will. Truly knowing that is a gift in itself.

There's something about community that lets you know that you were made for it.