“Spiritual Direction” by Gordon T. Smith is a thin book. Having read a few of the author’s books, I looked forward to this one. Particularly since the subject was something I was interested in. It was an easy read. It was obvious that the author, though an evangelical, is aware of different traditions of spirituality, but is appreciative of this Catholic practice. He is obviously a practitioner himself. I found the book informative and useful and practical. Here are the many things I learned:
The aim of spiritual direction is to help the directee enrich his or her intimacy with God and to learn how God is present and at work in his or her life situation.
The best form of training for spiritual direction is to have received good spiritual direction. The wannabe spiritual director (SD) has to be formed, not just skilled or informed. Some formal training will then be helpful.
The SD focuses attention on the presence and movement of the Spirit in the directee’s life.
Listening with empathy is an absolute must for the SD. It is good to have biblical knowledge, and some understanding of spiritual heritage but listening well is a premium.
Pastoral work should include spiritual direction since the aim of spiritual direction is to help the person grow in his relationship with God and to learn to see things from God’s perspective.
Ideally the directee should be teachable, hungry to grow, willing to submit to God and be of the same sex as the SD.
Spiritual direction skills can be used in pastoral work, evangelism and friendship.
It is better for the meeting to be formal and separate from a meal so that there is no distraction.
One format of the SD meeting is:
Listen to the directee talk about significant experiences in relationships and work (30 minutes).
Comment of where God seems present and active, and response from the directee (20 minutes).
Edwin and Lydia enthusiastically offered to orientate my daughter Elaine to life in Washington DC. They were the most qualified to do so being Singaporeans who have lived and worked there for more than a decade. Lydia has written a useful book about living in America. So my wife and I were relieved to know that Elaine would be in good, wise hands. She stayed with them before we arrived to stay with her in their house (another act of hospitality from the Tans). While we were there, the Tans were in Singapore. They even allowed us to use their cars -which we did!
Lovely and larger suburban home of the Tans
THE MONUMENTS
Fantastic free tour led by informative and humorous guideWell known Washington Monument in the distanceVietnam War memorial looks simple but a brilliant work done by a studentBut of course THE famous Abraham Lincoln
We went for this free walking tour that gave us interesting information about the monuments. The wonderful thing is that the major monuments are within walking distance of each other. I thoroughly enjoyed and learned so much from this tour about the history, culture and values of America. Fighting for freedom is a top, top value for USA. Quite a few memorials are to the war dead: the second world war, the Vietnam war, the civil war. This country has shed a lot of its children’s blood for freedom in their land and elsewhere. I cannot help but feel beholden to them, even if they did it with “enlightened” national interest. If not for their contribution to the war in the Pacific, Singapore may still be under the Japanese, and I would be speaking Japanese, and eating Japanese food (which may not be too bad), or be second class cheap labour for Japan industry. I had lost two uncles who disappeared during Japanese army occupation of Singapore in the late 1930s, and these are memories that still embitter our older generation against the Japanese military occupation. I am rambling.
ETHIOPIAN FOOD
Elaine brought us out for some Ethiopian food. Washington attracts people from all nations so it is no surprise you can get authentic Ethiopian food. We enjoyed it because of its similarity with Indian food. I would definitely go for it again and again if I do visit Washington again.
Just loving’ it, and her, of course
THE SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS
National Air and Space Museum
Its amazing that these museums do not require any entrance fees. They are wonderful large museums with interesting and sometimes spectacular exhibits. A few require payment of an entrance fee. We went to a few of the free ones over a period of two days. They are all within a grid of several square kilometres. We drove to the park and ride, and took the metro to the station nearest to the museum we wanted to go. Very convenient and accessible.
Fascinating art museumGreat for photos as I need t o learn how to enjoy art
VISITING THE WORLD BANK
Lois showing us around World Bank with the End Poverty posters behind us
A friend of Elaine was able to get visitor passes for us so we could have a look at what it would be like for Elaine. Since it was on the way to the museums and her friend was willing to show us around, why not. It looks like a United Nations – employees from different countries working together, security conscious, and bound together by the one common English language. I also discovered they had several buildings all within walking distance of each other.
On the way to the museums we sent her off on her first day of work
WORSHIPPING IN AN ASIAN CHURCH
Worship on Sunday
The church my hosts attended was founded by Asians – Taiwanese and Hong Kong immigrants. So the English service I attended on that wet Sunday was full of people of Chinese descent, both young, the middle aged, and the old. The worship used familiar songs and choruses and the odd hymn, and the sermon was treading carefully around the spiritual gift of tongues. There were quite a few Malaysians and Singaporeans there too. So after the service we went to a huge reception/fellowship hall where we were hosted by the greeters. A pastor of many decades sat beside me and we had a long conversation about work, theology and life experiences. He told me that nowadays the church receives more and more Mainland Chinese converts! This gives the church fresh blood.
By day a florist, by night an artist
After the service, a Singaporean, Florence, one of the church members, brought us to a mammoth warehouse discount store. We were wowed by this megastore and the prices were also very good but you had to buy bulk. This was fun. This was my quick introduction to the consumer culture of America.
Later we went to Florence’s home and were amazed at the lovely paintings in her newly purchased townhouse home. She is a florist but painting was her hobby and she found it therapeutic. We had a dinner of salad and baked chicken before we headed for home.
APARTMENT HUNTING
Elaine was hunting for an apartment and over several days we went house viewing with her. We saw about seven apartments with her. It was reassuring to see that the surrounding streets looked safe and good. I realised there is a strong rental market (US $1,500 to $2,500 for a studio or one bedroom apartment) in and around DC. Most residents seeking work in DC would begin with renting an apartment or house. After they know that their jobs are stable, and get to know the city better, they may then go on to purchase a house or apartment. Since transience is part of the working scene in DC, rental still trumps buying a property.
MEALS WITH OUR DAUGHTER
Melas at home of the TansGreek food at DupontAmerican food at a suburban restaurant
We were together for all the meals when we were there and that was a luxury we did not have when she was living in Singapore, what with her work, ministry commitments and her friends. So the time together was precious. All the more sweeter for we knew we would be missing her for some years. This was easily the highlight of the trip.
WALKING
We did a lot of walking. We had no choice. We enjoyed walking anyway. We are hikers. Therefore with proper footwear, walking is a piece of cake for us. We walked the most during our visits to the museums. We also walked a great deal while hunting for apartments and looking at the surrounding neighbourhood.
SHOPPING
Shopping can be inexpensive in America. There are many good food stuff, household stuff and clothing and shoes that we could buy at good prices. Branded goods at the premium outlets carry shocking price tags. If I were into brands, this is Paradise. However, I bought sparingly because I am not into branded stuff. If I already have so many watches why should I get a Fossil watch just because it was cheap. If I do not need it, why buy it? Things in America: houses, cars, clothes, supermarket food and household products are inexpensive when compared with Singapore. What hits you between the eyes is the health insurance!!!
What was I doing in Boston? I was there mainly for my daughter in law’s family’s wedding reception. My son Joshua had already had the wedding registration and reception in Singapore. This was for Ping’s family and relatives in the U.S.
On the front stage at the restaurant: Joshua & Ping, my wife and I
One interesting thing about this wedding was that it started at 11pm in the late evening of Sunday and ended at 1.30am on early Monday. Many of the guests were relatives in the restaurant business and they came after they had closed their businesses or stopped work after the restaurants closed. My pastor friend told me that when they did ministry among restaurant workers, it was done at such odd hours too.
We were there at 9.30pmThe delightful lobster dish
Another interesting thing was that everyone who came was given a bottle of red wine, which they placed on the dining table in front of the cutlery of each seat. The wedding feast was fabulous and not cooked to Western palate but to the Chinese taste. Fantastic food with lobster included.
Joel Tay performs his magic to the delight of a guest
There was even some live entertainment provided by Joshua’s close friend Joel Tay who performed some illusions at each table to the delight of children and fascination of adults. Tricks with cards, book, and other stuff. He was confident and serious and he made time fly by quickly. Little did the audience know that he is highly educated in science and theology and was full-time in a ministry that educates churches in creation science.
Ping’s parents Guang Tai and Yin Cheng, and Lynn, Ping’s sister and her family
My wife and I were greatly blessed with kind hospitality from Ping’s parents. We stayed in their large home and we were spoilt by the great food they cooked us for dinners. We actually had lobsters for every meal except breakfasts.
The warmth and love and care made our stay there so comfortable, memorable and we were so grateful.
“Spiritual Direction” by Gordon T. Smith is a thin book. Having read a few of the author’s books, I looked forward to this one. Particularly since the subject was something I was interested in. It was an easy read. It was obvious that the author, though an evangelical, is aware of different traditions of spirituality, but is appreciative of this Catholic practice. He is obviously a practitioner himself. I found the book informative and useful and practical. Here are the many things I learned:
