Heather Holleman's Blog, page 130

Conversation in Nature

My oldest daughter and I love to hike in the woods or by any kind of body of water. Today, we come across a little pond in the woods. We hear the strangest sounds–like a low musical note–over and over again. What could it be?

We realize as we gaze across the pond that it’s the frogs talking.

We follow the sound of the symphony and come upon this: We see logs filled with frogs as they sun themselves. We see shiny green heads and bright eyes emerging from the mud. We see them on the banks and in the water. We stand for a few minutes and watch and listen in wonder at the conversation of frogs.

Welcoming Others

I like how Paul describes the welcome he received from the Galatians, even as he endured an illness. This sickness surely burdened his hosts, yet Paul said, “Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself (Galatians 4:14).

Can you imagine welcoming others as if they were angels or even Christ himself? Can you imagine the honor, the deference, the joy? When we interact with others made in the image of God, we might welcome them with humble submission and respect.

What place does mean speech, ignoring, harming, or self-focus have in the presence of others indwelt by the very spirit of God? How many people have we dismissed or overlooked in our lives because we don’t live in the mystery of divine encounters? Every encounter is a divine encounter. We meet the eternal soul of others as we go about our regular day. Living with flair means we stay in the humble joy of welcoming others for who they really are.

When Things Feel Out of Control, Remember the Banner

This morning I read Psalm 60, written by David during a chaotic and fearful time of war and invasion. David gives us a picture of a land in fractures, of desperation, and of staggering. But he writes this about the Lord: “But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner. . .”

The banner! The Lord as our banner refers to a name of God given by Moses in Exodus 17. In translation, it’s a beautiful word: it means that God is our rallying point, our signal to show us where to gather, and our place to know we are under the protection and leadership of a Great King. God raises a banner over us. We might look up to this banner instead of at our surroundings. We might look up to the leadership of the Lord who gathers us all under this banner. And Who is the banner? It’s Jesus–the Root of Jesse as described in Isaiah 11 who will “stand as a banner”–who now and in the future gathers everyone under His good and powerful leadership. God literally raises our banner of Jesus on the cross.

This is the banner we need and the rallying cry of our hearts. I think carefully about how the Psalm ends as David prays to God these words: Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory. . .

A Quiet and Confident Heart

When I feel troubled, nervous, or confused about a path forward, I remember David hiding in the cave when Saul tried to murder him. Can you imagine? Think of the fear. Think of the desperation in David’s heart. Think of the discomfort and the sorrow.

From his cave, he writes this in Psalm 57:

Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed. I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. He sends from heaven and saves me. . . God sends his love and his faithfulness.

Psalm 57:1-3

This morning, we take refuge in God. We cry out to God. We can affirm that He knows His purpose for us. We thank Him for His saving love and faithfulness.

Some New Foods to Try

As I try to eat more of a plant-based diet (so good to ease inflammation, arthritis, and migraines!), I suspiciously try a new no tuna “tuna fish” recipe that ends up tasting delicious!

Instead of tuna, you use a can of chickpeas. It tasted great with lettuce and tomato on a hearty piece of bread. Click here for the recipe.

Something else I’ve been hearing about is “carrot bacon.” I find the liquid smoke it requires, and I cannot wait to try the recipe. I think my daughters would like to try this with me as a fun lunchtime recipe for BLTs.

If the carrot bacon works, you’ll be the first to know!

Favorite Sounds: A Dinner Conversation Question

Several years ago, we talked at dinner about our favorite sounds. Think about it: the sound of a knife spreading butter on toast or the definitive click of the seat belt. What about wind in the trees on a quiet evening or the crunch of fall leaves underfoot? Of course you might mention the flowing water of the creek or the crackle of a campfire. I think of the sound of a vacuum sucking up crumbs, the way feathers sound when a duck takes flight, or how it sounds to crack an egg into the bowl.

I like the way it sounds to make the first cut into a ripe watermelon. I like the sound of the car turning into a driveway to signal how a loved one has returned.

I love the first notes of a song I’ll recognize and dance to and the purring of the cat. I love the sound of the keyboard when I’m typing fast. Sometimes I forget the gift of hearing and how so many sounds create such wonderful feelings and memories.

First Day of Summer

I’m such a goal-oriented person, but my teens do not appreciate my goal-setting for them every summer. When they were little, I could set elaborate schedules and record our accomplishments, but now, it doesn’t work the same way. I still, however, make broad categories of what this summer might entail for us all.

We talk about a daily walk to see all the bunnies in the early morning or evening. We talk about an afternoon smoothie–what my daughter deemed “Afternoon Acai” since it’s one ingredient. We talk about accomplishing just one little thing like writing thank-you notes. We talk about travel and family nights and movies and books. We talk about how to serve others.

For me, (in addition to ministry work, writing, teaching, and speaking–it’s not really “summer”) I’m finishing my chronological Bible reading plan and educating myself on institutional racism. I’m listening and reading as much as I can and finding simple things to share with future students or in conversations with young people. I like the Smithsonian’s resources on being anti-racist. I’m also learning to cook more plant-based meals and caring for my garden.

I’m surprised how much joy my garden is bringing me!

Curl and Unfurl

A New Day. A New Season.

Today my oldest daughter graduates from high school. I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t be overwhelming or too emotional, but it is. It’s a new day. A new season. She’s grown up, and so am I.

When the Enemy Is Also You

Sometimes when we search our hearts, it’s hard to admit the ugliest sins of pride, superiority, judgement, hatred, or all those things we don’t want to see in ourselves. The shame is so great that we do things like make excuses, ignore, or hide. Shame feels like a disintegration of self and a tormenting sense of inherent badness.

And we often also don’t believe it’s happening. Sin often surprises us because we continue to think we’re always good. We cannot believe our default state thinking and attitudes. We cannot believe how self-centered we are or how unloving our heart can be. I think about how in my own garden, I weeded deeply. I uprooted every invasive and destructive thing. I put down barriers of cardboard and three inches of mulch. But you know what inevitably comes.

I look out the window. Some weeds have found their way in, just like sin into the garden of the heart.

But as soon as we come into the light with Jesus, we experience the forgiveness and cleansing that He provides. We dismantle shame when we own the truth of who we are and our great need of rescue from ourselves. We stand in His grace as a sinner in desperate need with nothing to offer toward our own salvation. It’s the greatest transformation we’ll ever undergo in our life–this transfer from condemnation to righteousness.

By the Holy Spirit, we change. We still sin, but more and more, we become like Jesus. We are rescued from the body of death and the desires of what Paul’s calls “the flesh.” We’re told in Romans how when our minds are governed by the flesh, it’s death. But the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Confession of sin is a way of staying is step with the Spirit.

It’s a great thing to search the heart. It’s a great thing to see the weed, uproot it, and do it again and again every fresh morning.

I’ll weed today. I’ll weed tomorrow. It’s the nature of things.