Help
With Your Rule
Spiritual Direction - Ways to Grow
Dear Holly,
Thank you soooo much for writing this book. It was so encouraging to know that others are going or have gone through what we are going through. Staying faithful is wearing, and we just can't seem to buy a break financially. But I keep thinking someday we're going to be fine....
My real question is this: I know people who have spiritual directors, and I once asked our priest if he could be ours, but then I realized he is much too busy. How does one locate someone that you feel like you can trust, who has the background to be truly helpful? How does spiritual direction work? I knew nothing of it until about 3 years ago. Thank you so much!
Labels: 1st P Prayer
posted by Holly at 10:17 AM
1 Comments:
I have talked with a number of women who are having difficulty finding adequate spiritual directors. This speaks to me a bit - if God want you to have one, you will - so the first step is to pray! ASK God to provide someone for you if you need it, or in the future where you may need it more.
Secondly, spiritual direction is about spiritual growth and discernment. We have at our fingertips a wealth of written resources which can help us grow spiritually. We can sit at the feet of saints and read their writings directly - a benefit if you are having difficulty finding a person to direct you. Books have played a large role in my life - and so often I find answers there. So I would encourage you to browse Sophia Institute Press' website as they reprint many spiritual classics; or go to ICS Publications for Carmelite works; or head off on my website here for a list of books I recommended earlier. The "Thoughts For Moms" blog has book references listed as well, so you might see if anything attracts you. Anything by Hubert Van Zellar or St Francis De Sales is good.
If you can't find a regular spiritual director, you can continue your reading, and when you get to a spot in life where you can't figure out where to go, you can ask an objective & faithful friend to give you his two cents; You can ask your husband's opinion about your life; you can turn to the discernment questions on "Holly's Notebook" blog; you can even contact me!
And if none of this provides you with enlightenment, book a visit to your parish priest or some other priest who attracts you spiritually, and go in and talk for a session.
But in the absence of a spiritual guide who helps you discern where God is leading you, go for the books! And ask God to direct you Himself.
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