That day I spoke with Jan, she noticed “my backpack was filled with things I didn’t need.” Her quiet words suggested I be gentle with myself, give myself grace. In other words, was everything I had my hands on important. Did I once again need to be reminded of Zora Neale Hurston’s words, “Black women are the mules of the world” carrying the burdens of race and gender. Or did I need to be reminded of Jesus’s grace and gentleness: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11-28-30, NRSV, MSG).

Twice, I've been asked about the origins of the Heartbeat Formation logo. Foxee Design created the logo based on my answers to her Brand Brief Exercise. Foxee, aka, Alexandria Batchelor, said “I used a retro, bold serif typeface for “formation” to create a solid, strong foundation for the logo.

The heart in the center represents the heart of the spiritual directee who will be shaped by Angela's practice. The heart drips down to make the “A” in “formation,” uniting the two words. “

5 Spiritual Formation Lessons Learned after My Home Retreat

My home retreat is intentionally time of rest, reset, and restraint.

A season and time of humility and restraint requires waiting and trusting in God, a time of answered or unanswered prayers, a season of lack and sacrifice. We have to make a physical sacrifice for spiritual gain.

As a former energizer bunny with a calendar in my head, I’ve always been physically and mentally doing something. So, attending the Group Spiritual Direction Workshop three different times – both as a participant and assistant facilitator – was life-changing for me. Each weekend during these programs gave me the opportunity to practice the art of being still, being in a spiritual community, and being compassionate.

On a daily walk, I noticed the small tree with the small hole in its trunk. I thought perhaps a hole may be missing in my life as I gazed upon the trunk of the tree. I think about the many holes over the course of my life caused by many things that left me wanting, worried, and weary.