WHAT IS SPIRITUAL DIRECTION?
“God’s first language is silence”
-St. John of the Cross
Spiritual Direction is a holy time set aside for you to convene with God while inviting another person into that space. As a Spiritual Director, my job is help create that sacred space for you, and to walk alongside you on your journey with God. Often we desire clear answers or direction from God, but we struggle to hear God speak. What we forget is that often God speaks to us in the silence and in the gentle, yet radical, love and acceptance of who we authentically are.
MY WHY
My little brother, Zach, was born when I was three years old. Since then, I have embodied the glass that is looked through to see him—my families life revolved around Zach and his needs.
24 weeks into my pregnancy, my husband and I found out our daughter had the genetic markers for Down syndrome. Her birth was traumatic for her, myself, and my husband and resulted in an extended NICU stay. There were numerous times where we almost lost her.
All of that (and more) has lead me here—providing Holy space for those who are often overlooked, their needs pushed aside, in order to care for those whose needs are more to meet with God AND for those who society often overlooks, because that is my story.
Why I Desire Spiritual Direction
- feeling of loss in my relationship with God
- a desire to actually know and understand myself
- healing
- hope for the future
- reconnection with the beauty around me
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
ONE-ON-ONE
What to expect during a one-on-one Spiritual Direction session:
- meetings typically occur one time a month
- a sacred covenant between you, the Spiritual Director, and God
- entering into the space with vulnerability to the Holy Spirit in the ways of open conversation, spiritual practices, and silence
- time together lasts 50 minutes
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
SMALL GROUPS
Group spiritual direction is shared between 2-3 individuals, a spiritual director, and God. During their time with one another, they are entering into a sacred covenant together.
What makes group spiritual direction different from one-on-one spiritual direction:
- the group does not meet without everyone present
- time is spaced between all participants
- all engage in holy listening with one another
- time together varies with how many are in the group
Who Benefits from Spiritual Direction
Any and all people benefit from Spiritual Direction. We all desire to be seen, to be known, to be loved, to be secure, to understand, to be at peace. Regardless of religious background or understanding, all are welcome to the arms of God for authentic love and healing.
Siblings of Individuals with Disabilities (aka Glass Children)
Being a sibling of someone with a disability is like being in an exclusive club that no one seems to talk about. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone else who was experiencing what I was experiencing. Objectively, my brothers needs were more important than mine. However, it is difficult to explain how quickly siblings have to grow up, the pressure felt for their future and if that will include their sibling, and the shared weight they have with their parents while also desperately longing to have full focus and full care on them. With that said, the guilt that follows those desires can result in resentment plus a miriad of other layered mental health struggles. It is a unique gift that many don’t recognize as a gift until much later in life. Siblings, you are loved more than you will ever comprehend by God, and also your sibling. I have walked in these shoes and God has blessed me with the desire to walk alongside those who are experiencing all of the above now.
Parents/Caregivers of Individuals with Disabilities
Siblings have the privilege of growing up not knowing a life different than one significantly intertwined with their sibling. Parents, typically, are thrown into this world blindly. Though having a child is a blessing, many times they are not met with positive responses from others in their life, including medical professionals. It is like being thrown into the deep end of the pool, not knowing how to swim. Parents are not just parents-they are the medical caregivers, advocates, teachers, therapists, overall experts of everything regards to their child. Many parents give up their occupation to care for their child full time. Like siblings, their future with their child is uncertain. However, the richness brought to their life because of their child is incomprehensible. Parents, you deserve to care for yourselves. You deserve time and intimacy with the God who sees you and loves you.
Individuals with Disabilities
Regularly overlooked, individuals with disabilities deserve and desire deeper knowledge of themselves and God. Though the local church desires to be fully inclusive, most are unaware of how to go about providing ministry for individuals with disabilities. Spiritual Direction is a space to just be with God. It is a non limited space.
Spiritual Direction
ONE-ON-ONE
Schedule a time for a consultation with Sam. This first session is free. If desired, following this first session we will discuss further meetings
$60/session
Spiritual Direction
SMALL Groups
This is great for small groups to gather together for a specific set aside time for intimacy with God. This is also a great opportunity for individuals and caregivers.
$50/person per session
Retreats and Workshops
Retreats are beneficial in a group, but also as a solo break from “life” for a moment to be still with God. Too many times do we cry out to God for guidance but are distracted from the response because of the busyness of life. If you are interested in a stylized solo retreat, or a group retreat, schedule a consultation with Samantha.
Workshops/Trainings are a way to grow and address specific topics in the organization or church. Spiritual Direction, Disability Sensitivity and Ministry, and The Enneagram are all topics Samantha is well versed in and would be honored to lead for you. Schedule a consultation with Samantha.
If interested, email Samantha at samantha@samanthamrauh.com