A Place to Rest

A Guided Visio Divina Exercise

Visio Divina simply means “divine seeing.”

It is a way of praying with an image. Instead of rushing to understand or explain, you are invited to slow down and look. To let color, shape, line, space, and texture become a doorway into prayer.

NOTE: You do not have to know anything about art. You do not have to understand the image. You do not have to make something profound happen.

Just look. Notice what draws you in. Notice what you want to avoid. Notice what rises in your body, your memory, your spirit.

The image is not something to solve. It is something to receive.

So take a breath. Let your shoulders soften. Let your eyes wander.

See.

Begin by simply noticing. What color draws your attention first? Where does your gaze want to linger? What lines, shapes, or spaces do you notice? Is there anything you feel drawn toward? Is there anything you feel confused by, curious about, or tempted to move past quickly?

Try not to judge or interpret too soon. Just notice.

Listen.

Stay with the image a little longer. What feeling begins to rise in you? Is there a memory, longing, question, or word that comes to the surface? Where do you notice shelter? Where do you notice growth? Where do you notice light? Is there a place in the image where your body wants to exhale?

Receive.

Now let the looking become prayer. What might grace be inviting you to notice? Where in your life are you longing for rest? What helps you feel rooted? Where is light still finding a way through? What would it mean, just for today, to let yourself be held?

Carry

Choose one word to carry with you. Maybe it is rest. Maybe it is rooted. Maybe it is held. Maybe it is home. Maybe it is light. Maybe it is enough. Maybe it is something else entirely.

Let that word stay with you. You might whisper it as a prayer. You might write it down. You might come back to it later today.

No need to force anything. Simply receive what is given, and let it settle.

A Blessing for the Place Within You That Needs Rest

May you trust the quiet places
where grace is still growing.

May you remember
that small does not mean insignificant.

May light find its way through
what feels tangled or overgrown.

May you be rooted,
held,
and given room to breathe.

And may you discover,
even here,
there is a place to rest.

Coming Soon: The Artful Awakening Deck

This piece of art is from something new I’ve been creating: The Artful Awakening Deck.

The deck grew out of my Doctor of Ministry project. It is rooted in the belief that art can become a doorway into prayer, reflection, honesty, imagination, and grace. It is a 54-card deck, and each card features original art along with invitations to pause, notice, listen, and respond.

You might use it for quiet time, journaling, spiritual direction, retreats, small groups, or the days when you want to pray but words are hard to find. The deck is coming soon, and I cannot wait to share more.

For now, consider this practice a small glimpse of what is on the way.