‘Just breathe’ – a reflection on Replenish

‘Just breathe’ – a reflection on Replenish

Calm, reflective, space, time, fellowship, family, nature, creative, humbling, listening, hearing, worshipping, standing beside, being with, quiet, chatter, being cared for and about. These are all words that reflect and describe some of the experiences I had on my first-ever retreat at Luther Heights. Experiences that reflect being with God, and God being with me in His creation. There was also God’s awesome creation for me to marvel at. Black cockatoos – 10 of them, circling, squawking; whales – breaching, playing; dolphins; sand, beach, water, trees, nature. All while I ‘just breathe’.

My name is Carolyn Ehrlich. I am retired and have never been on a Lutheran camp of any type before. I was not even sure that I wanted to go – right up until the time came to pack and drive from my home in Ipswich to Coolum, I wasn’t sure. I was tempted to just not go. But I had arranged to do this ages ago. I registered early. What did I expect? I didn’t know. But I decided to go anyway. The first faces I saw were familiar to me. I knew people through family members or through my associations in the Lutheran church. I was not isolated or alone. I was with people who knew of me or people connected to me. I belonged. And then there were close family members. My surprise at seeing one of my sisters-in-law and two of my nieces – mother and daughters, people who did not know I was coming and who I did not know were attending. My delight in meeting more distant family whom I had not known before.

So, ‘just breathe’ – stillness and belonging all at once. A blessed experience, and one to put in my diary to attend again. Thank you to all the organisers and providers of this invaluable experience. God bless you all.

Date claimer: The next Replenish Women’s Retreat is scheduled for 8-10 October 2027 – the week following the LCANZ National Convention of General Synod in Brisbane. Please save and add to your calendars!

Images: Replenish participants; there were plenty of mother-daughter groups who attended; retreat participant Kathy Matuschka preparing to lead Saturday morning devotion; the pastors’ wives gathered for some quality time together.