From September 18 to 20, the Women’s Ministries (WM) of the Sicilian Field of the Italian Adventist held a spiritual retreat at the Adventist Center in Vallegrande, Piazza Armerina. Numerous women from districts throughout Sicily took part. The event, themed “The Breath of Faithfulness,” was organized by Eliana Di Marco, WM coordinator for the Sicilian Field.
Eliana, with the help of her daughter Marika, took care of every detail and succeeded in creating a welcoming and comfortable environment. Floral decorations and candles created an atmosphere of calm and peace. Her gentle, measured manner, together with the songs and music chosen as background, made the participants feel cared for and protected, comfortable both in listening and in sharing their own experiences.
An enchanting landscape and unspoiled nature provided the setting for three days devoted to prayer, meditation, sharing, joy, and, above all, to “breathing.”
How often do we find ourselves in situations where the simplest things seem complicated, where we feel misunderstood, and where the expectations placed upon us are far beyond what we are capable of giving? It is precisely in these moments that we can become overwhelmed by discouragement and by the fear that we will not make it, that we are not enough. Our families, our jobs, and society constantly ask more of us, expecting us to be extraordinarily strong and always ready to sacrifice ourselves.
The Lord, however, asks none of this from us. He welcomes us just as we are. He does not ask us to be strong, but simply to be ourselves—with our fears, our uncertainties, our doubts, and our weaknesses.
God Sees Us and Loves Us Just as We Are
Thanks to our special guest, Pastor Abigaela Trofin, national coordinator of Women’s Ministries, we sought to understand how to improve the way we see ourselves, how to accept ourselves as we are, and how to recognize our own needs and concerns. Reading biblical passages, praying, singing, and sharing personal experiences helped us on this journey.
These were moving and profound moments. After realizing that the Lord loves us just as we are, we became aware of how difficult it can be for us to do the same—to love and accept ourselves without continually falling into the trap of trying to become what others want us to be.
Divided into groups, we spent time sharing, studying, and praying, but also rejoicing and playing together. All the participants showed themselves open to dialogue and sharing, expressing themselves through words and, above all, through listening.
Learning to see beyond the surface, to dig deep into our hearts until we long for and discover that water of life that represents our salvation. The message this retreat left with us is indelible in our minds and hearts: We choose to be women of faith, not women of fear.