A Little Testimonial

"Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles."

Galatians 6:2 TPT

Pretend we are sitting on my back porch.

The South is hot in the summer, so the fan is going. In the morning, the birds chirp and fuss with each other at the feeder. If it is evening, the cicadas hum, crickets sing, and tree frogs add merrily to the melody.

Pick your beverage of choice—coffee or tea, iced or warm. Take a deep breath in. Pause gently. Then sigh, very slowly out. As you do, allow your shoulders and jaw to relax. Lean back in your chair and maybe take another gentle breath or two with your eyes closed. Take in the sounds and smells, and when you feel a little lighter, allow your eyes to open.

If it's morning, the sun is just hitting the green mountains. If it is evening, the string lights offer a soft, warm glow to the wooden table in front of you. You might catch a glimpse of some rabbits in the yard busying themselves nibbling at cool grass.

After several moments allowing the quiet to wash the weight of heavy days off of you, you turn your attention to the Presence of God with us. Somehow, in the quiet and stillness, you notice it more clearly than you have all week.

We begin to converse easily. No rush, no hurry...just noticing Abba, Jesus and Holy Spirit in your life...in this moment.

Maybe we roll some of these questions around in our minds and conversation as we would clay in our hands...

How have you been experiencing God lately?

Where have you noticed or experienced His delight over you? What's that been like? If not, wonder what's been in the way?

What has Holy Spirit been stirring in you? What are you passionate about these days? What do find not fulfilling? Wonder where Abba is in both...?

Have you felt distant from God? What's been impacting this most? What might you need? What things connect you to God most?

What has been hard these days? Wonder where Jesus is in that?

Maybe we allow our hearts and minds to wander, quietly asking Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and words. Or, maybe we sit and say nothing. Maybe this is the first time in a while you have had a quiet moment with nothing on your plate. Maybe, just maybe, we enjoy that for a bit.

This is what Spiritual Direction so often looks like.

Quiet, gentle, reorienting to the Presence of God in our lives. Brothers and sisters in Christ listening for His movement, following His gaze, asking some of the questions we never think (or are too afraid) to ask.

I do this with my Spiritual Director each month. Sometimes we do this in the ease of simple conversation. Other times we use the gifts of the church over thousands of years (e.g., Lectio Divina, Examen, Listening & Healing Prayers, Ignatian Meditation, Breath Prayer, etc.). One of my favorite practices is Immanuel Journalling, which I use to reflect on God's love for me in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of my life. She asks me questions. She listens to me, and we listen for Jesus together.

There is a famous quote from the 12th-century Cistercian abbot Aelred of Rievaulx in his classic treatise that shares my experience with Spiritual Direction. "Here we are, you and I, and I hope that Christ makes a third with us."

We often meet over Zoom, but we have also met in person. As I share, she listens to me and to the movement of God in my story and life. She asks questions; we pray. We reorient to Jesus' every day, all-the-time, deeply personal movement in my life.

As a Spiritual Director myself, I meet with friends and directees in coffee shops, at the local Prayer Center, on Zoom, or yes, even my back porch. Coffee, tea, or matcha in hand, we spend time listening to Jesus together. I often ask the same questions I'm answering myself in my own sessions. I'm doing it with you. We are, in these beautiful moments, carrying each other's troubles (Gal. 6:2) and encouraging and comforting one another and building each other up (1 Thes 5:11).

I have loved receiving Spiritual Direction. Having a co-listener who asks me questions and redirects my attention to Jesus' work in my life is huge. I'm more aware of His everyday involvement...His attention to me, His pursuing love. This redirection and attunement has cultivated in me a greater love for Him and others.

I wonder if this might be a gift for you too?

I would love to hear from you, even if it is just to learn more about what Spiritual Direction is. This is an early church ministry that has been forgotten in late modernity, but it's making a comeback! If I'm not the one you want to talk with, there is a growing group, and I'd be happy to point you in the right direction to finding your Spiritual Director.

You can book a Discovery Call for free to learn more, or simply email me, and we can connect over Zoom or coffee.

Just come. Come and experience the "unforced rhythms of grace" (Matt. 11:28-30), and let's listen to Abba, Jesus, and Holy Spirit together.

May you experience the quiet, gentle reorientation to the Presence of God in your life.

May you begin to notice Jesus' every day, all-the-time, deeply personal movement in your life.

May you have the curiosity and courage to dive deeper into His great love for you!