We love hearing stories of how Jesus is transforming lives through intentional practices of faith. Recently, one of our members shared their journey of rediscovering the power of solitude with God, inspired by a teaching series at Sherwood Park Alliance Church. Her story is a beautiful reminder of how God meets us in quiet moments, bringing healing, growth, and deeper connection. Read Tracy's story below.As a new apprentice to Jesus about 11 years ago, I was very eager to try everything, which certainly was all the sacred practices from a book my pastor had loaned me. I tried them all with very little guidance or information. The one I found that was hardest and most beneficial was the practice of solitude, but I only dabbled a bit with it and with very little guidance in this area I set it aside in this world's business. So, when Pastor Jeremy and the other pastors at SPAC started this as a teaching series, I got super excited to try this and make it part of my everyday life. I asked a couple of the ladies from my life group at SPAC to journey with me and they agreed we did the 4 weeks from Practicing The Way. As soon as it started, I started with the longer times allotted for one hour a day, each day varied on what that hour looked like, and we also started discussing our final retreat and what that should look like. Each one of us had extremely different ideas about the same thing which is very exciting. My retreat planning took me to a hotel away from my family and commitments for 26 hours. I was worried and overly excited as an introvert I like time to myself, but I knew I was going into this with God and I never knew what to expect. On the day of my retreat I spent some time in the morning to prepare my heart for what was to come in my already forming habit of being alone with God in the morning. Once settled in at the hotel I started with some quiet time and soon to my surprise God gave me a gift of a nap as one of my prayers was that I was just tired, I had some more hours in the quiet of my room and at one point I was feeling unsettled and maybe a bit bored so I thought what a good time to do some Bible reading I was very confused where to start so I asked God where he wanted me to start I feel he laid it on my heart to reread Ephesians so as I started to read I was shocked and blown away by the words and the new understanding God gave me as I was reading. At one point some things from my past started surfacing and I believe that God brought me to my knees in surrender to Him and He has profoundly changed the way I think of that issue as now I truly know I’m forgiven, loved, and it is by the Grace of God alone that these things have come through my solitude time with God. The rest of my retreat was amazing and being in that space with God is something every Christian should experience and better than that everyday starting with God’s presence through the Holy Spirit has dramatically changed me and my worship and praise of the creator of all things.This story is a powerful reminder that when we intentionally create space for God, He meets us in ways we may never expect. Solitude isn’t just about being alone, it’s about being alone with God. It’s in these quiet moments that we experience His grace, hear His voice, and are transformed by His presence.As you reflect on this testimony, consider how God might be inviting you to slow down, step away from the noise, and draw near to Him. Whether it’s through solitude, prayer, or another spiritual practice, every step we take toward Jesus leads to deeper faith and renewal.