Could a Tree Be Your Spiritual Director?

8/25/2021

This wisdom by Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr holds an interesting view of who or what could serve as a spiritual director/guide/companion to us. Inspirational pieces like this one are the kind of inspiration that SGTI sends out every week in our FREE "Universal Wisdom" offering. Have you subscribed yet? 

​Enjoy this sample and allow yourself a few minutes of gentle contemplation as you sit with the Reflection Questions.

"I must share with you a story about a particularly barren time in my life when I used a tree for a spiritual director. I learned so much that year because I listened in silence...

Because it was small I couldn't lean on it but could only sit beside it. That taught me a lot about what the role of spiritual guide should be. Even though it was small, it had the ability to give me a certain amount of shade. You don't have to have a lot of leaves to give shade. 

Because it was silent I listened deeply. You don't need a lot of words to connect with God. 

When it got thirsty I watered it. The miracle of water is a little like the miracle of God's love. That little sycamore taught me a lot about foot washing. Watering it was a great joy. A soul-friend relationship never works only one way. There is a mutual giving and receiving. 

I learned from my tree that being transplanted is possible. I can always put down roots again, connect with the Great Root, and grow on."

-Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, A Tree Full of Angels

Reflection Questions: 

1. How have trees been your companions? 

​2. Is there a particular tree that you have connected with? What was it about that tree that drew you to it?

​3. You may want to take a walk with the intention of finding a tree to sit by and with and invite it to be your spiritual director. Or alternatively, perhaps the tree is inviting you to be its spiritual companion.