Heather Holleman's Blog, page 24

Within a Few Hours: Immeasurably More

I love recording answers to prayer, and yesterday stunned me with God’s kindness. I wrote in my journal that morning a simple request for my daughter to truly enjoy her senior prom and that God would somehow make the night more fun than she could imagine. I closed the journal and went about the day.

For brunch, we joined our next door neighbors. The amazing mother brought her visiting family and us downstairs to show us her basement warehouse for the new business she’s just launched. She said to my daughter, “I’d like to give you a gift for graduation for later in the summer.”

The gift?

Well, this woman, Claudia, owns Happy Valley Slumber—a new local, mom-owned business that sets up incredible sleepover parties around brilliant themes for both children and adults. She wanted to give Kate a party sometime in the future. My daughter said she had wished she had thought of this earlier since that very evening, her friends were coming to our house for the after-prom sleepover. In her mind, the girls would just find places to sleep on couches. Boring. Nothing fancy. Stressful.

Claudia said, “Well, my family is in town to help me, so we’re giving you your sleepover party tonight!” Within just a few hours, Claudia tumbled into my house and set up the greatest, coziest, prettiest after-prom party. The girls returned from prom to step into a surprise of gifts and personalized sleeping areas. They all had the best time at prom and the best time at our after-party. And Claudia returned to pack everything up. I just love this business idea. I just love how special it makes guests feel.

Later, we talked about how God always does “immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.” The party gift felt so undeserved and so much fun. I recorded it in my prayer journal and thanked God for a friend like Claudia, her business, and her love for my daughter.

I also loved having a memory like this. The girls who came have been friends since the 3rd grade. I made crepes in the morning like I used to when they’d come for sleepover parties when they were little. I think the nostalgia for things like this made the night even more special.

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Faces and Spaces

I love rhyming family mottos. Every delay is God’s way. Every rejection is God’s protection. My new motto: The Holy Spirit beautifies faces and spaces.

When God’s love is shining in you, your face becomes beautiful. When God’s spirit is present, the space becomes lovely and welcoming. I’ve been around many conventionally beautifully people that don’t radiate God’s love, and I’ve met many godly people who become stunning to others because of God’s presence in them. I’ve also been to mansions that feel dead and empty inside and then in simple, even messy homes that make you feel so full of joy and love because God’s love is there. The space becomes beautiful because of Jesus.

Don’t worry about your face or your space. If God is within it, it’s beautiful.

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When It’s In Your Hands

I imagine all writers feel the same kind of joy to hold their published book in their hands. You started with this little idea; you thought of the story; you began writing; you found a publisher; you edited; you waited; you waited some more. And then the day comes when a box sits on your doorstep with the novel you always dreamed you would write one day.

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Keep on Chirping

I love watching the baby robins leave their nests all around my yard. This morning, I observed four little fledglings hopping all over the grass. The look like spotted fluff balls of new feathers, wobbling and tumbling. I love God’s design in it all; these young birds enjoy special camouflage with spots and muted colors so they blend right into the scenery. These birds also chirp nonstop. I watch and I listen. The fledglings chirp, and the mother bird comes and points out a worm or bug on the grass. Chirp: the parent comes. Chirp: the parent feeds the fledgling. Chirp: the parent guides the fledgling to a new spot in the yard.

It’s such a tender, dangerous time to leave a nest. But as soon as the chirp comes, I see the response.

I love how, in numerous ways in our lives and in different seasons, we’re called to step away from something safe. We leave the family in the hometown. We leave a job. We leave a friend group who brings us down. We leave a behavior or a situation. We leave a place that’s too small for our spirit.

We start to fly away, and it’s the scariest time. But remember your chirp. Keep chirping, all day long, as you cry out to a God who hears. One translation of Isaiah 30:19 says it like this: You will never weep again; he will show favor to you at the sound of your cry; as soon as he hears, he will answer you.

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My Prayer for This Seat’s Saved

When I read Amanda’s kind words about This Seat’s Saved below, I put them into a prayer that young readers would discover God’s “kind and faithful presence” and how He “makes all things work together for our good.” Would you pray that with me for readers as the book comes out June 6th?

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It’s Raining Oak Pollen

Today in my neighborhood, I drove through a downfall of yellow oak pollen. This explains so many things if you’re from around here. You might feel extra tired. Your eyes might feel puffy. You might feel completely swollen, under the weather, and congested. Your head might pound. You might feel completely out of sorts.

We all know this season. It’s oak pollen season! The pollen covers everything. It might seem lovely at first to walk about with yellow strings of pollen falling and golden dust blanketing everything from your car to your shirt and collecting in piles that line the roads. It might even seem whimsical to open the door to a wash of yellow. But no. It’s the pollen that makes so many of us feel terrible.

I like knowing what makes us feel the way we feel. When friends say, “I don’t know why I’m so tired and feel so out of sorts!” and I say, “Remember? It’s the oak pollen,” they feel better knowing the cause. When you know the cause, you apply a good remedy of whatever allergy medicine works for you. You change your filters in your home. You close windows. You stay inside more for a few days.

Meanwhile, there’s curiosity and gratitude. I remember the joy of oak pollen honey and how many bees love this pollen. I remember to learn more. This yellow pollen is called oak catkins. Did you know that? You can use catkins as mulch, too. They feed squirrels and birds. Next, I learn that a cluster of oak catkins is called an inflorescence. Who knew?

I’m about to have a conversation with my neighbor. I’ll be sure to say, “Wow, look at the catkins. Look all of these catkins together as an inflorescence!”

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One Single Drop

I love discovering ancient wisdom from ancient writers. Today, I read these words from Medieval Scottish philosopher and theologian Richard of Saint Victor who, in his day, deeply influenced many religious thinkers. In his writing on the comfort of the Holy Spirit back in the 1100’s, he wrote this:

“I boldly affirm that one single drop of these divine consolations can do what all the pleasures of the world cannot. The pleasures of this world cannot satisfy the heart; and one single drop of the inner sweetness that the Holy Spirit pours into the soul delights it utterly. . .”

I love the contrast: one single drop versus all the pleasures of the world. Even the tiniest bit of what God can pour into the soul far outweighs anything we might have or experience without Him. May we experience these divine consolations. May we discover this inner sweetness and utter delight.

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In Dark, Secret Places

I enjoyed so many wonderful hikes during this Mother’s Day weekend. In May, I know I’ll find turtles, frogs, and sometimes snakes on the trails. I know I’ll find bird nests of all kinds. All of these discoveries delight me. But in mid-May, I always squeal with joy when I find one rare treat in particular: the Lady Slipper Orchid.

I blog about this orchid every single May. If you’ve been with me this long, you know. I love these orchids. The orchid’s colors make it remarkably difficult to find, even though it’s pink. It strangely blends into the forest, so it takes a good eye to find it.

Today I felt a fresh revelation about this orchid. It’s this:

The best way to find a Lady Slipper Orchid is to remember where they bloom.

As you walk in the woods, you’ll think, “I know this place. I know what’s coming. This is the place where I should look for the orchid.” If you can’t remember, or if you don’t know the way, you’ll need a guide—just like I did the first time Cynthia showed me the secret hiding place of the wild orchids.

The hunt reminds me of the predictability of certain seasons in our life. Over time, you’ll recognize patterns in seasons of loss or sadness, joy and delight, transition, illness, or change. You can step back with wonder and curiosity and say, “I’ve been here before. I know this path. I know how to look for God in a special way right here.” And when you find yourself deep into unknown territory, that’s when you call someone who has traveled the path of whatever it is you’re going through. This person will know the signposts. This person will know how to get you back to beauty and the rare delights of thanksgiving and wonder in any season of your life. Follow me. I know how to look for beauty here. I know how to find hidden treasures in dark places.

Finally, I think about God as the Guide. I thought of Isaiah 45:2-3: I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Imagine God summoning you by name. You’re headed after Him as He clears the path. He cuts away every barrier to the treasure in store for you.

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Along the Creek

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After Nearly 30 Years

This week, I traveled to Atlanta to speak at The Exchange on The Six Conversations. The founder and host, Elizabeth Perhson, interviewed me about the book, and we had a fantastic evening of laughter and connection with nearly 200 women. If you notice, the stage looks like a little campsite. The designer did this intentionally; I met Elizabeth nearly 30 years ago when I went to Camp Greystone. We’ve been friends ever since. Elizabeth has always encouraged my faith, and whenever I’m with her, I know it’s going to be an adventure.

We couldn’t be more different. She’s athletic; she has 8 children (yes—8!); she’s not interested in academic things at all (by her own admission). At camp, she taught tennis while I was teaching poetry writing and crafts! We share almost nothing in common except our love of God and Greystone. But when we talk, we immediately find deep connection about what we’re learning, where we’re struggling, and what in life brings us joy. We are completely ourselves with one another. As I spoke on the 4 Mindsets required for a loving connection, I realized that Elizabeth has always displayed them all. She’s curious, she believes the best, she expresses concern, and she shares her life. And, in line with the 3 Fresh goals, after you spend time with her, you’ll be encouraged, you’ll feel more equipped to reach your goals, and you’ll find yourself marveling.

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