Heather Holleman's Blog, page 25

Some Things Bringing Joy

If you haven’t made your gratitude list for today, challenge yourself to list 20 things. Here is my list today:

Watching a cat bathe herself in a sunbeamEating good hummus and pitaThe smell of lilacBird nestsBird eggsThe neighborhood dogs and their names (Lavender, Winston, Geo, Hudson, Dolly. . . )Sunset making the trees goldenWatching The Chosen with my daughterFaceTime with my college daughter Freshly brewed coffeeHaving a mentor who checks in on meSoft pajama pantsHot showers with fun shampoo in the morningLaughing with AshWalking in Penn State’s Arboretum and finding the Chinese Magnolia When someone sends me a picture of a turtle they foundWhen students email me their life updatesNew books (I’m reading The Attributes of God by Arthur Pink)My marketing people at MoodyPodcast interviews

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A Podcast to Enjoy from Live Faith First

I have loved joining various podcasts on The Six Conversations. Here’s one to listen to (especially if you need something while you’re driving, cleaning the kitchen, walking, or weeding!)

On Apple.

On Spotify.

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Nest Update

There’s a frost warning this week, and I’m noticing the mother bird stays on her nest more. Is she keeping the chicks warm? Does another egg still need to hatch? I’m not certain. But I do know she’s a great mother bird.

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Many Will See

This morning I spent some time reading Psalm 40. I thought of us all when I read these lines:

I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

I thought of us because on Sunday evening, my husband led a workshop at a church Sent and Six Conversations retreat on how to tell the stories of God working in our lives. He challenged us to remember a time when God matured us or met us in a time of need. What was the theme of that time? What Bible verse did God use in that season of our lives? At our table, many people shared about the time they felt “out-of-control and afraid” and how God matured them to understand His sovereignty. I felt so encouraged by the very short but very powerful stories, in simple conversation around a table, of God’s truth and loving presence.

If you read Psalm 40, you’ll see David’s own story. I thought of us and how I’m so curious about the times we waited patiently for God and He then met us; about how He lifted us out of a dark situation; about how He set us in a secure place; about how He gave us a “new song.”

When you tell these stories and put them on display for a watching world, there’s a promise: Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

We desperately need your stories. When and how did God teach you patience? When and how did He deliver you? When and how did you find security? When and how did He teach you a way to praise and worship Him?

Teach us! Show us! Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him because of your story.

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Me: Hungry for God

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What You Already Have and Already Are

I notice something in Genesis 3 this morning. Satan tempts Eve into thinking she needs something she already has and already is. We read this in verse 5 as Satan’s grand temptation to lure Eve into eating the forbidden fruit: “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Eve was already made in the image of God. She was already like God. She was also already in paradise.

Satan’s craftiness here reveals a strategy we must learn. We have “all things in Christ” (1 Cor. 3:21); we have all we need (2 Cor. 9:8). When you feel tempted, ask yourself if the thing you seek you already have in Christ.

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Checking the Nests

It’s now part of my daily routine to “check the nests.” I just love this time of year! I love discovering new bird nests, peeking in on perfect little eggs, and then watching the fledglings. When I pass a nest, I love seeing the proud mother bird warming her eggs with her brood patch. The brood patch is that spot of skin with no feathers that allows for perfect heat transfer to the eggs. What a genius Creator!

When it’s chilly, or when I know the temperature will dip at night, I don’t worry about those eggs because of that brood patch. They eggs will stay toasty warm. I’m learning that if I want to see the eggs, it’s always best to walk in the early morning since that’s when the robins forage for food.

I love a May filled with nests. I’ll keep you posted on any new ones I discover.

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Try It For a Day

I loved being outside all day today. We enjoyed sunshine for the first time in days! So many delightful things happened: I connected with neighbors and laughed; I realized why my backyard attracted so many bunnies (I forgot to harvest so many carrots! They were coming for carrots!); I weeded most of the backyard; I enjoyed seeing the progress of my plum, fig, lemon, and peach trees; I listened to Spotify-suggested music (which always ends up perfectly matched to my taste!); I ate olives and hummus for lunch (my family teases me that I adopt the food and lifestyle of whatever show I’m watching, and since it’s The Chosen, I find myself wanting pita, hummus, and olives); and I prepared for my daughter’s 18th birthday party (a garden party with some of her friends).

I finished reading the US Surgeon General’s advisory on the loneliness epidemic, and I read this: In a U.S.-based study, participants who reported using social media for more than two hours a day had about double the odds of reporting increased perceptions of social isolation compared to those who used social media for less than 30 minutes per day.

It makes perfect sense. Today, I spent less than 30 minutes on social media—enough to post about Kate’s birthday and tweet about loneliness. I couldn’t do more! I was too busy weeding and finding all those carrots. As a result, I connected more to God, myself, my neighbors, my husband, and my daughters. When I did check my phone, I did so to forward so many kind texts from friends to wish my daughter a happy birthday.

I think the research tells the truth: We’re isolated when we’re on our phones all day long. Today felt great and connected. I recommend testing the research on yourself, at least for a day. Try to stay off social media, or at least limit it to less than 30 minutes. See what happens. And this isn’t coming from just another old person telling young people to get off the phone; this comes from research and the national advisory and call-to-action to increase social connection. Let’s do it!

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Mindset 3: Express Concern

Today I’m thinking about Mindset 3 from The Six Conversations: Express Concern. When you want a warm connection with others, you stay curious, you believe the best, you express concern, and you share your life. But many people don’t know what it means to express concern, or investment, in another person’s life. It’s easier than you think. I recommend asking questions to discover a few things. Try these questions with someone to form a stronger connection:

What are your major stressors this week?What upcoming decisions are you trying to make?What thought is keeping you up at night, or what’s on your mind when you wake up?

Once we know these things about one another, we can make supportive comments. We can “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and take on their interests (Philippians 2:4). These questions help build family connections as well.

We recently enjoyed a great dinner conversation when we all shared what thought was usually on our minds when we woke up each morning. Some were funny! Some were about finding coffee and finding the cat. Some were serious, too. In the end, when you ask good questions and express concern for others, you’ll begin to have the warm connections that heal the loneliness we’re feeling.

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A Summer of Connection

This morning, I read the US Surgeon General’s announcement about the health problems associated with loneliness and the call to action to intervene in this epidemic. Yes! We must! If you read the news today, you’ll discover how loneliness is killing us.

Now more than ever, we need to commit to “closeness-enhancing behaviors” in your communities. Read The Six Conversations. Practice the 4 Mindsets, the 3 Fresh Goals, and the Six Pathways to start and continue loving connections with others. It can start with you, right now.

The most important mindset right now? Curiosity. Be curious about other people. Seek to learn about their lives. They will feel loved and connected to you. Start with any of these questions in the six categories of what it means to be human:

Social: Hello! I haven’t seen you in a while! Who have you been spending time with lately? Emotional: How have you been feeling about May so far? Physical: How have you been sleeping? Any aches and pains?Cognitive: What have you been thinking about lately? Volitional: How did you decide to spend your summer? Spiritual: Have you been thinking about God lately?

Let’s get started!

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