Poustinia Prayer Retreat in the South Pasture | Finding a Place to Be Still with God
Discover the story of a rustic poustinia prayer retreat in a Palmetto State pasture not far from where the Bull Swamp merges with the North Edisto River… and learn why every Christian needs a quiet place for prayer, reflection, and time with God.
REFLECTIONSFOLK ARTSOUTH CAROLINA ART
Rom Webster and Opa
Paustinia Prayer Retreat In The Southern Pasture
Finding a Place to Be Still
There is a little place tucked away in the south pasture that most people would never notice.
If you drove past it on the road, you would probably think it was nothing more than an old shed hidden among the trees. In fact, many years ago, it really was something like that—an old horse shelter from the days when this land was a small horse farm.
When E.B. and I (Opa) moved here years ago, we cleaned it up. A concrete floor was poured. And our spiritual brother Steve, with the help of members from his outdoor ministry group, pitched in with willing hands and generous hearts. Together we all transformed a forgotten structure into something much more important.
Today, we call it the Poustinia.
That Strange Word
The word poustinia comes from the Russian Christian tradition and generally refers to a simple place of solitude, prayer, and fasting—a place where a person can step away from the noise of the world and spend time alone with God.
Our version here at The Shabby is about as rustic as they come.
Beside the Paustinia stands a little building that looks suspiciously like an old-fashioned outhouse. It isn't an outhouse, of course—it actually houses a composting toilet. We’ve kept it intact because we were there when it was built. We remember the spirit and good humor associated wth it. We remember the guys and gals who sawed and hammered (and “figured it out” as it needed some figuring during the build). And also because it adds a bit of country charm to the setting—and nothing else says "rural South Carolina" quite like an outhouse sitting in a pasture.
A Holy Place for Peace and Reflection
The Poustinia sits between a grove of trees and the north pasture where the Palmetto Barn studio stands. Rabbits wander through. Deer occasionally appear without warning. Birds sing from every direction. Blackberry vines and other edible plants grow nearby. The cats visit often, usually convinced they are helping with prayer.
Inside, there is little to distract a person. And that's exactly the point.
Over the years, I have spent many hours there. Sometimes with a small fire crackling in the firebox. Sometimes reading. Sometimes praying. Sometimes simply sitting in silence and listening.
A great deal of prayer has risen from that little shelter—not only from E.B and me, but from Steve and many others as well.
That is what makes a place holy…
Not the structure.
Not the location.
Not even the beauty of the surroundings.
A place becomes holy because people meet God there.
We Love Good News
The good news is that you do not need an old horse shelter in a pasture to create your own poustinia.
Perhaps your place is a comfortable chair by a window… a porch swing… a corner in a garden... or just a quiet place where you can sit for a few minutes each day and remember that God is present.
In a world that constantly demands our attention, every Christian needs a place to be still.
A place to pray.
A place to listen.
A place to simply be with God.
Find your place. Then visit it often.
You may discover that holy ground is closer than you think.
"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10
Our Story
That’s our story, and you no by now…
We’re sticking to it!
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