God, others and I

The Women’s Ministries retreat in St. Stephan, Switzerland, from September 7 to 9, 2018 focused on relationships. How do I relate to others? What is my relationship with God? Am I able to share God’s bounty? What does that have to do with me and my faith? We considered these and many other questions.
Based on the parable of the talents, our speaker Tina Tschage challenged us. How many talents has God given to me? Am I content with that? Am I using the talents God has given me? Am I multiplying them or burying them?
Ellen White wrote in Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings that God uses whom He wants. Often He chooses the simple for important tasks. His power becomes great in the weak. We consider things according to our values; but God’s values may be very different. What we see as great may not be so great in God’s eyes. It is not good for us to judge the value of our gifts or choose our duties. We should accept the burden that God gives us and carry it to His glory. When we need rest, we may come to Him. In all our work we honor God by serving Him joyfully with all our hearts. He wants us to take up our duties with joy and gratitude for being permitted to so-operate with Him.
Tina Tschage permitted us to experience the love of God in a practical way, and we became a new vision of God and ourselves. Spending time sharing together was also an important part of the retreat. Wonderful weather permitted us to enjoy nature on the Sabbath afternoon and after the program in the evening new friendships were deepened with humor. Hatschi, Peter and Philipp, our kitchen team, provided delicious food during the whole weekend. I am so thankful that I was able to participate in this blessed weekend.
According to Dagmar Latuski