Ponder

A friend of mine called the other day sharing some things about her mom, now in rehab and really needing assisted living after that.  Her mom and she both thought it might be helpful if I visited, especially with my background as a spiritual director, hospital chaplain and now having taken care of my husband who had been in a nursing home.

 All sorts of thoughts went through my mind, of course, they were not all positive, which I hesitate to admit to you because then I fall right off a pedestal I might have been on with you, my dear readers!! So, yesterday I visited, and to my amazement as I was walking out, I thanked God that I did some good for someone. She was much lighter in spirit, too!

Her mom was very open, receptive and before I left she reflected and said, "I need to ponder some things."  I, too, was grateful for my religious upbringing, remember what Jesus's mother Mary said regarding "pondering many things" in her heart. 

How often do each of us need to "ponder many things" but  sometimes we don't  come to know what those things are by ourselves. This is where spiritual direction has been a boon to my own life, and others, just to have space to talk, be heard specifically by a trained person, and yet know whatever is shared is confidential.  

This is a new year, a new season and perhaps you might consider it for yourself or refer a friend or acquaintance.   Spiritual direction is not about religion, but about our spirit and finding that deeper meaning in life, our connection with the divine or holy in life; that is much, much broader than any religion or faith, that we each have no matter what.  So, for each of us, consider "pondering all these things" in our heart!   

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