aka Dr. Hooks

What brings me
to Spiritual Direction?

Grace. Sitting in a circle with others listening, listening to their stories as they listened to my story—the need for discernment right now.

Lord, what are the next steps? You see, I earned a Ph.D. In 2018. The following year I did some writing, edited an anthology, and wrote a peer-review essay.  Begin revision of my dissertation for an interested publisher. And I was writing a blog, “Off the Hooks.” And God interrupted my life with a call to preach. I didn’t complain. It was not what I expected, but I followed the path, God’s path.

In 2020, I landed at Princeton Theological Seminary as a full-time student. In the class Spiritual Formation and Mission, we sat in a circle listening to each other’s stories. Becoming a Spiritual Director became clearer as I discerned my gifts and graces in group spiritual direction. Prayer journaling, one-to-one conversations, and listening to others without interruption or the need to tell my story or give advice were pieces of me before seminary, and now I was learning to sit, and sometimes walk, with others as they desired to discern God’s will and sharpen their spiritual formation.

Then I enrolled in Oasis Spiritual Ministries, earning my certificate as a trained spiritual director in 2023.  The program required that as I train to be a spiritual director, I also have a spiritual director and at least two directees. What does this mean? When we integrate spiritual practices into the rhythms of our daily lives, we should not do it alone. A spiritual director can help. Spiritual direction is a cyclical practice of spiritual formation; it’s not a bible study, Sunday School, theology, Christian Education, or pastoral care, although all of this is helpful.

Spiritual Direction it’s a way of companioning people as they seek to look closely, through the eyes of their heart, at the guidance and transforming work of God in their lives.

 As a Spiritual Director, it’s one on one, its small groups, it’s leading one into a deeper love of God. It’s spiritual formation, helping others become more aware of God in their lives for the sake of others. It’s important to be invited into the conversation. It’s most important to know the ultimate director is the Holy Spirit. It’s discerning how the Holy Spirit is moving in not only the life of the directee but the life of the Spiritual Director.

And it was twenty years ago when a friend, Janie Normile, introduced me to the concept of spiritual direction.  We were journaling partners meeting biweekly to commune with God and each other through diary writing, listening, and sharing. Then I didn’t understand spiritual direction. My favorite line was, “I go to church.” Yet Janie and I met at one of my diary writing sessions. And from there, we became spiritual friends. Two women. Two denominations. Two cultures. One passion: keeping a diary, journal-writing, and letting the Holy Spirit be our guide.

 I understand differently now what was happening then.

I’m committed to being with you on your faith walk as you connect your heartbeat to the heartbeat of God. Let’s listen together. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to guide us.