Gwen Pickering

City: Eden Prairie

State: MN

Languages: English

Personalized Affiliation: Christianity

Spiritual Spheres: Christianity

Affinity Groups:

Category:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 952-239-0542

Website:

Focus Area: Codependency, Mindfulness/Meditation

Social Media:

Profile: Have you ever longed for a deeper relationship with God? I know I did. I grew up in a family that struggled with anger, alcohol, and broken relationships. I was a busy mom and wife. But, almost two decades ago, I felt called by God to come away and be silent. Even though I was going to church regularly and thought I had a strong faith life, I felt deeply in my heart that I was supposed to go away, be quiet, and listen to God. So, I went to a silent retreat center, and the director asked me, "Gwen, what would you like to get out of this retreat?" "I'd like to fall in love with God," I said. After that retreat, I followed the call to spend time alone with God every month at a retreat center. Those experiences changed my life in ways that I would never have expected. One of the biggest surprises was when God called me to the ministry of spiritual direction. It took me a little while to truly listen. After nearly 20 years of leading marriage retreats with my husband, I thought of myself as providing spiritual direction as a retreat leader, not as a spiritual director. God even sent many spiritual directors to tell me that I should be a spiritual director. I did not listen. I would say, "I already have a master's in counseling. I have ADHD and don't like to sit down. I love leading retreats." But I heard God say, "I want you to teach people what you have learned during these years that I have been calling you to spend time listening to me." So, I began training as a spiritual director and completed the Spiritual Direction Preparation Program through the Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center in 2019. God called. I finally listened. And now, I listen from deep within my heart to that which is deepest in your heart, as we sit together in the presence of our loving God, in spiritual companionship. There is something transformational that happens when I meet with you for this holy work. As I pray for you before the session, God fills my heart with love in a way that is so pure and holy. When I see you, my God fills my heart again. There is nothing like it, to feel complete and total love for another that does not come from me. It is so beautiful, so freeing, so absolutely pure. I know this is God and this is my call.