Sacred Listening
Learning from Mary Magdalene’s Encounter
I find the story of Mary Magdalene at the tomb to be a deeply moving example of sacred listening and transformation (John 20). She comes to the tomb heartbroken, longing for Jesus, only to be met with the unsettling sight of an empty tomb. When she encounters a figure, she assumes it is the gardener. But when Jesus calls her name, "Mary," she immediately recognizes the familiar voice and responds, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). This moment invites us to consider how God meets us amid our grief and confusion, gently calling us by name, even as we wrestle with the weight of human failure and sorrow.
For me, this story, among others, beautifully portrays the essence of sacred listening. Just like Mary, we may initially struggle to recognize God’s voice. Yet, when we pause and listen closely, God calls us by name, inviting us into moments of clarity and transformation. This sacred dynamic inspires my work as a Spiritual Director... walking alongside others and helping attune to God’s voice, especially in those moments when God feels distant, silent, or hard to find.
Spiritual Direction is rooted in this kind of authentic encounter. Like Mary, many of us show up with questions, longings, or even heartaches... unsure of where God is or what comes next. But when we are lovingly called by name, something within us stirs. As a Spiritual Director, I offer a still space to notice God’s presence... especially in seasons when clarity feels just out of reach. And it isn’t about having the right answers or giving advice. It’s about walking together, listening deeply, and holding space for sacred moments of recognition and unfolding. Just as Jesus met Mary in her grief and spoke her name, I seek to companion others with that same tenderheartedness and attentiveness.
Cain’s Encounter with God’s Invitation
Learning from Hagar and the God Who Sees
Nebuchadnezzar’s Encounter with God
Learning From the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Spiritual Direction Session
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A Moment to Pause
We begin by being in a moment of stillness and knowing, allowing ourselves to settle and be fully present. Some prefer just a few seconds, while others take more time. It’s all about finding the space to breathe and become aware of what is unfolding in this moment.
2
Your Journey, Your Voice
This part of the session is your time to share what’s on your heart...whether it's adversities, celebrations, or moments when God has felt near or distant. As you share, I listen with care and offer invitational questions that encourage deeper understanding and awareness. Together, we create a safe space to explore what you might be invited into.
3
Moving with Intention
We’ll also explore practical ways to move with intention on your journey. Whether it’s finding healing, reclaiming your story, or taking small steps for growth, I’ll support you in finding a rhythm that meets your needs. There’s no rush or pressure...just a gracious and simple guidance toward living with greater clarity and wholeness.
4
Closing Prayer
At the end of our session, we’ll take a moment to reflect together, considering what we’ve discussed and how it may guide in the days ahead. Some have preferred quiet, while others have chosen prayer. We’ll close in whichever way feels most comfortable, creating a safe space to release everything and allow what unfolds to guide moving forward.
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After the Session
If something from our conversation resonates with you and you'd like to explore it further, I’m happy to share resources...such as books, articles, or practices...that might support your journey. These are simply offered as an invitation to deepen your reflection and connection with God, should they feel helpful to you.
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Coordinating Support & Stewarding Resources
Healing and growth should be accessible and a value to all. Each 50-minute session is offered on a sliding scale of $40 to $60, with flexible payment options through PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. Scheduling is simple and welcoming through my Calendly link. If you have any questions, please reach out...I'm here to support you every step of the way.
Finding Your Rhythm
I encourage you to find a rhythm for our sessions that feels both meaningful and sustainable for you. Most of those I work with find that meeting once a month works well, though some choose to meet twice a month, depending on where they are in their journey. If you're new to spiritual direction, I invite you to engage with it over a few sessions to see how it unfolds for you. Many find (including myself) that giving it time allows for a deeper experience before deciding whether they’d like to continue. I’m here to support you through this process and make adjustments along the way as needed.
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A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR IS SOMEONE WHO...
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Is guided by the Holy Spirit, helping you see what the Spirit is doing in your life. This follows the tradition of early Christians who sought to discern God's presence and follow the guidance of the Spirit.
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Is a trained listener, accompanying you as you reflect on your spiritual journey, helping you notice God’s presence and activity in your life, as well as your responses.
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Does not seek to fix problems or give advice, meaning it does not offer clinical counseling or psychological diagnosis…but invites you into a deeper dialogue with God through spiritual companionship, discernment, and care grounded in attentive presence to the Spirit’s work in your life.
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Asks compassionate and invitational meaningful questions, helping you notice and respond to the Holy Spirit’s movement…reflecting the way God’s people have long gathered in authentic Spirit-led communities for encouragement, discernment, and spiritual growth.
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Embodies hospitality and confidentiality, offering a safe space for personal reflection, in keeping with the ancient traditions of Christian spiritual companions who have long walked alongside others in faith.
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Guides you in spiritual practices, teaching you ancient disciplines such as prayer, meditation, and Scripture reading that deepen your relationship with God, and help you process the lessons God is teaching you through them.
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Invites you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, attuning your heart to God’s embodied presence, nurturing your soul’s attentiveness, and guiding you to recognize and participate in God’s loving work within you and in the world.
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Compassionately leads you to engage with deeper principles, helping you live out the understanding that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21), following 1st-century Judea Jesus’ teachings and growing in wisdom and love. Henri Nouwen beautifully captures this, saying, "The farther the outward journey takes you, the deeper the inward journey must be."
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Celebrates with you the transformative work of God, walking alongside you as you experience the unfolding of God's grace and transformation, just as the early Christian communities celebrated the movement of the Holy Spirit.
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Is trained and often certified in the art of Spiritual Direction, continuing the lineage of faithful guides who have helped others recognize and follow God’s leading throughout centuries.
“A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in their life,
in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading them.”—Thomas Merton
Scriptural Anchors: Psalm 139 | Micah 6:8 | Jn 10:27 | Jn 14:26 | Jn 15:26 | Acts 1:8 | Acts 2:42-47 | Acts 17:27-28 | Rom 8:26 | Rom 12 | Galatians 5:22-25 | 1 Thess 5:11 | 2 Timothy 2:2
