In her poem “The Sun,” Mary Oliver contrasts “sliding out of the blackness” with the “wild love” of a flower “streaming upward” toward heaven. This image was at the heart of a recent group spiritual direction led by Laura and shared by five other women in sober living.
Resting on blankets near a pond on the campus of Aquinas College, the women listened as Laura recited the poem as an exercise in Lectio Divina, a prayerful practice of reading and reflection. Afterward, they were invited to use oil pastels and construction paper to draw whatever had captured their attention during the reading. The drawings included flowers, clouds, and hands reaching toward the sun.
This group grew out of a desire to continue exploring where and how God is present in the lives of women who have moved beyond Foundations and into the world of work. After participating in weekly spiritual direction during the first four months of the program, it can be challenging to sustain spiritual practices while adjusting to the demands of new employment. Group spiritual direction helps meet this challenge while fostering a deeper sense of agency and strengthening the bonds of a supportive community.
As they stared up at the clouds, one woman shared that she felt a deep peace and knew she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Another said the experience made her think of heaven as a moon, orbiting the earth. Still another reflected on the symbolism of God as the sun—present even when hidden behind clouds or within the blackness.
During that hour, there were tears and laughter as Laura, Victoria, Erin, Valerie, Jess, and Emily continued their spiritual journeys together. They explored challenges, vulnerabilities, and gifts while discovering where “The Sun” shines in their lives.
In a very real way, it was an experience of “wild love.”
Written by: Ann Karasinski, Spiritual Director