Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Spiritual Direction: The Fantasy vs. the Reality

Me: Waaaah! I'm lost. I'm lonely. No one understands me. I don't know what I'm doing. I can't find "sacred space" for worship. I can't find my motivation. I don't know what "ministry" means anymore. Everything that comes out of my mouth sounds like insipid nonsense. I'm no good to anyone. I've lost my focus. I'm depressed. Help!

Fantasy Spiritual Director: You poor lamb...why, you're experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul. We specialize in those! Don't worry -- we'll fix you up in no time. You just sit right here next to me and cry on my shoulder for as long as you like, and then we'll set you up for a nice, quiet retreat -- praying the Hours, lectio, examen, daily Eucharist...spirituality just the way you like it! You'll be a new woman!

Real Spiritual Director:

...well, actually, I suspect a real spiritual director would be kicking my ass right now. In Christian love, of course.

6 comments:

Rachel Nguyen said...

LOL, LutheranChik!

Mine has the amazing ability to kick my ass in the kindest and most empathetic way.

Mata H said...

These are the best moments. Congratulations! This is just exactly what happens before something new and wonderful breaks through. I know that sounds wretched of me to say, but honestly, every time my life has taken a new and deeper turn for the better, it has been preceded by this kind of vortex. Just let it be and let it speak. (My prayers are with you.)

Anonymous said...

(I think Mata is a Real Spiritual Director)

Anonymous said...

I had a lovely Lutheran lady spiritual director who couldn't bear to be unkind to me, no matter how mean I was. It made me feel all churlish and unworthy. And I felt like I was humoring her.

My priest now is a lot tougher on me and I like it. Sort of the spiritual boot camp approach - though still basically a sweetie.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I really appreciated mine's recent kick-to-the-kiester as well.

[Are you looking for one now, LC? An in-the-flesh one? Good luck!]

LutheranChik said...

Hmmm...am I hearing some good news, JC?:-)

Yes, I'm looking for a real flesh-and-blood one...I have a couple of promising leads, but they're all so far away from where I live, which creates a real barrier to regular contact...especially since so many of my weekends are committed to other things. Someone asked me, "Well, what about your pastor?" I dunno; I'm thinking that it's better to have someone somewhat more removed and objective.