Threading the Needle

One summer when I was in high school I volunteered at our local care center. I sat with a group of older women who gathered weekly to quilt. As a group they drank coffee, told stories, ironed and cut fabric, planned out designs, lay batting, and hand stitched what were essentially scraps into beautiful artistic quilts. I didn’t possess any quilting skills (other than the drinking coffee and talking part), but I had an important job: help thread the needles. These women were passionate about their craft and wanted to quilt as long as they were able, but because most of them struggled with their eyesight or had stiff fingers, they needed someone like me (young eyes, nimble fingers) to be there ready to deal with the tiny eye of the needle or the thread they just couldn’t grasp. 

I consider the work I do as a spiritual director to be, in a way, similar to my time with the quilters long ago. Like those women creating quilts, your spiritual journey is yours to design. Your faith, how you listen to the divine voice in your life, and where you feel God is calling you is uniquely your quilt to make. As a spiritual director my role is to be there to help you thread the needle and pick up the threads that sometimes feel invisible. I’m here to listen, to ask questions, to look at the variations in color and arrangement with you, and guide you to find the tools you need to bring your quilt to life. This is your quilt, your path, your story. I’m here to help you thread the needle along the way.  Maybe you are at a transition point, or discerning changes you want to make. Maybe you feel stuck, need to process this past year and a half, or need help listening for God’s voice. Consider spiritual direction to be your quilting time, time to set aside everything else and focus on the unique design of your life.