Are any of you seeing a spiritual director? I have been seeing a spiritual director since August as a part of my ongoing journey (I highly recommend it for anyone considering it) and I am now a huge proponent! I selected a great OSB nun named Sister Laura, so that I could have someone outside of my own denomination and tradition - a truly safe/sacred space.
One of the things that she and I have been working on is my perfectionism. I come by it honestly... I come from a long line of workaholic perfectionists. Many of you who know me know that I am a pretty driven person, and she has been working with me on being aware of God's presence in the midst of the busy-ness; in the midst of the urgent and important duties of being a father, a husband and a pastor.
I thought about this in relation to the fact that my idealistic notions about how often I would be posting onto this blog do not match with what has actually been happening. I haven't been posting very often. Posting to the blog is one more thing that has become a "should" or an "ought"... It doesn't feel very important sometimes, so I have been just letting it slide - and praying all the while.
There is a lot going on in my life, and I know I am not alone in that. There are particular things going on right now in the life of the PNW Conference of The UMC that are impacting my ongoing discernment about my calling (I will get into that at a later point). Even though there are lots of discussions swirling about concerning my future, as well as the past and future of the community I serve, I have been STRIVING to stay focused on the "here and now." The people of the church I serve deserve my full attention and focus - they need to know that I love them and am not focused on "greener pastures."
Sister Laura has encouraged my tremendously. She has lovingly counseled me to refrain from lamenting those times that my visions and dreams for the future (for this congregation, for my conference and denomination, and for those of us who call ourselves "followers of Christ") begin to fill my mind, but instead to "pray" them as a way of releasing them to God. When I begin to feel an urge to speak prophetically to my current congregation / my clergy cluster / denominational officials that "things are not as they should be," I can only avoid being judgmental and close-minded by "praying" them first.
My spiritual director is becoming a wonderful spiritual friend... someone whose counsel I seek and admire... and someone who is a great listener.
I would love to hear your stories of your interactions with a spiritual director!
1 comment:
I've always wondered about spiritual directors and how they differ from a pastoral counselor. I assume that the focus is more on spiritual matters than psychological ones (where pastoral counseling is the opposite, although both work in both worlds). It sounds like it's been very good for you and may be something for me to consider more seriously.
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