Daily Guideposts June 19,2026. Be still , and know that I am God :I will be exalted among the heathen .I will Mr exalted in the earth -Psalm 46:10. Would you like to go on an artists’ retreat ?”a woman from church asked me .My experience with retreats was not a positive one .They often included indoor workshops and speakers that left me wanting to jump out of my skin . I politely declined the invitation ,saying it was too expensive . Days later , she called to say they could offer me a scholarship .i still didn’t wake to go , but as she continued to speak , my excitement grew .i would spend five days with a group of talented women in a beautiful island mansion on Alexandria Bay .It sounded more like a vacation than a retreat -something I desparately needed with the stresses in my life . Everything came together .The boys would stay with their father , and I was able to rearrange my work schedule I could feel the tension leave my body on the boat as as neared the island .We settled into our rooms and had a feast for our first meal together .Every day would be a feast .The immediate connection I felt with these women. was indescribable .Each day my only responsibilty was to make art .i sat by the water and wrote ,painted on the spacious porch ,and lounged on the hammock with my guitar .i listened to the ripple of the water , stared at the clouds in the/ sky ,and breathed in deeply the life had was mine that week I was reminded of the takes God had given me and the importance of sharing them .i realized how desparately I needed this time for myself and for my art and to sit quietly at God’s feet .i’m just grateful God knew it too , because as reluctant as I was at first ,He made a way . -Karen Valentin