Spiritual Companionship

By Francie Thayer–When Jesus sent the disciples out, he sent them out in two’s. There is so much wisdom in traveling this way. There’s someone to double check about the route. There’s someone with whom to keep company, to laugh, rejoice, grieve, lament, or giggle. And there’s even someone with whom to be silent if that is what is needed. A companion.

Spiritual companionship is very much like that. It is the practice of holy listening together. When you connect with a Spiritual Companion (also referred to as a Spiritual Guide or Spiritual Director,) you have someone with whom to do all those things, someone who listens to your story with a heart open to the Spirit of God. A Spiritual Companion can help you notice where God is in your story, perhaps even to what God may be inviting you through that story.

If ever there was a journey when companionship would be helpful, it is now in this time and place of pandemic. When it’s hard sometimes to even remember what day it is (Blursday?) it can be so helpful to have someone with whom to to share your thoughts, uncertainties, losses, joys, and wonderings. A spiritual companioning relationship is a safe place to tell your truth. If you’re not sure what that is, it is also a safe place to wander together and seek that truth.

In the Retreat House family, there are many wonderful women and men who are trained as Spiritual Companions. As the weeks unfold, they will take turns sharing a bit about their lives, their prayer, and their experience of God as they walk this path of holy listening. If you have any questions about spiritual companionship, or if you would like to explore the possibility of engaging in conversation, please feel free to contact the Retreat House at info@retreathousehillsboro.org or one of the Spiritual Companions you will soon meet on this blog space. Asking questions or having a conversation is not a commitment to connect in this way–the Holy Spirit is always the True Guide in these relationships. Just so you know, most conversations these days are taking place by phone or online. We hope you enjoy getting to know this group who live and love God in the midst of our Retreat House family.