Heather Holleman's Blog, page 34

Jesus as the Way

I continue to think about something my dear friend told me last week. She said to remember that Jesus “is the way, the truth, and the life.” In John 14:6, the disciples are confused about the “way to go.” Jesus famously says: ���I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Years ago, I read We Would See Jesus, and the chapter on Jesus as “the Way” changed my life. Jesus Himself���not any religious works like more prayer, more Bible reading, or more effort–is all we need. He is the way. It’s a strange thing to say. It’s like saying, “I am the path forward. I am the journey. I am also the destination.” But my friend helped me see that Jesus is the way when we don’t know what to do. We can ask Him to make a way forward when we feel stuck. He is our way. He is the way–the only way–to God. He is the way forward, the way to truth and life.

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The Long View

Today I looked out into the garden and observed the bare limbs of my plum trees and peach trees. This spring could mark the very spring when blossoms finally appear, when plums finally grow. At year three, I start to hope. But it’s not the kind of hope that disappoints if nothing happens. It’s the kind of patient hope that knows there’s always another spring, and another, and another. Growing fruit trees from seed taught me this. I might wait 10 years.

Growing things that take years and years is good for the soul.

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Is There Anything I Can Do For You?

I remembered to ask this question with full sincerity today–with suggestions to follow. Make a suggestion of how you might help. Run an errand? Do your laundry? Give you feedback? Listen to you? Walk with you? Pick up lunch?

It doesn’t work as well without suggestions because sometimes, people don’t know what they need. I have a colleague who asks me, “Can I do anything for you?” and then offers suggestions. She’ll say, “May I make you a cup of tea? May I listen to your problems?” I just love this. I took the tea. Then I shared my problems!

I like thinking about helping other people as part of the mission of the day.

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Your Best Professional Advice

Last night, my student invited me to attend an event on campus with award-winning poet Kwame Alexander. During the Q&A, a student asked about the best professional advice he’d ever received.

Kwame said to surround yourself with the right people who help you say “yes!” to life. He told a story of a friend who brought him down, who didn’t believe in him, and who didn’t encourage him. This advice really seemed to resonate with the students as he reiterated the importance of “finding the right squad” and spending time with people who are invested in you becoming the best version of yourself. Wise words from a wise poet!

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Your 3 Best Stories

Today I begin my Professional Storytelling unit in my advanced writing class. Students learn all about the power of narrative and how to use their best stories in professional settings. Maybe they need to tell the story of their call to a vocation; maybe they need to tell a better story to engage stakeholders; maybe they need to tell the story of why they advocate for certain people or causes. We all have great stories to tell. I love the next three weeks of teaching because the stories of transformation students tell end up transforming me; great stories always invite the reader or listener to change too.

In my ministry of teaching others how to live a “sent” life and engage others in spiritual conversations, I focus on the importance of telling great personal stories that might take only 2 or 3 minutes to tell. The story of your salvation matters and is unique to you. The story of God maturing you matters so others can learn from your wisdom. The story of God providing for you showcases His loving care. Salvation. Maturity. Provision. We need your stories now more than ever. Your story can cut through the noise of the culture and serve as a bright signal. We attach to stories. We remember stories. And we pass stories on.

Telling short stories means we focus on the problem we needed to solve. We position ourselves as a character in a setting. We explain the problem, what happened to help us solve it, and how we transformed by the end. We use sensory detail and write to evoke emotion. We create mystery and tension and keep the reader enthralled. By the end, both writer and reader have changed.

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A Fun Little Find

As I’ve been thinking about “joys multiplied,” I enjoyed a special little joy this past weekend. As you know, I love the show Gilmore Girls, and I especially love Emily Gilmore’s wardrobe. She is my favorite character. Over the years, I’ve always looked for deals on St. John (Emily’s favorite brand), but these high-end clothes are WAY out of my price range. Some of their sweaters sell for $1000.00 for example.

While traveling to speak in Hunt Valley, Maryland, my friend took me to a thrift store that also sold high-end pieces. That night, everything in the store was 50% off. I saw a sign for St. John vintage pieces. Emily’s sweater was hanging right there in my size! Would you believe that this sweater I found apparently retailed at Neiman Marcus back in the early 2000’s for $700? It’s a sweater Emily Gilmore wears in several episodes (most famously when she threatens to leave for Europe and gets trapped in her basement). I bought the same sweater for $40, and the whole experience brought me so much laughter and joy, especially when I wore it to church and several Gilmore Girls fans recognized it! It’s a beautiful sweater, and it felt like a “multiplied joy” from the Lord.

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Joys Multiplied

I memorized Psalm 16 as a graduate student back in 1998. I love reading it every month and thinking about what words or phrases now mean something different to me. For example, for the first time ever, I noticed a way to read verse 4. When I memorized it, the translation read, “The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.” Back then, I realized how true it felt that whenever I didn’t obey God and followed a different path, my sorrows increased.

This morning, in the ESV, I read “the sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply.” Suddenly, I thought of the opposite. What if I considered how the joys of those who run after God shall multiply? This was such a wonderful thought! All day, I thought about the phrase “joys multiplied.”

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Some Pictures from a “Surrendered and Sent” Retreat

Deep Conversation at the Book Signing Table

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Absolutely

I loved reading this from Hannah Whitall Smith that she wrote in her book Everyday Religion back in 1902. She writes, “The only thing that can bring unfailing joy to the soul is to understand and know God. Everything depends on what He is. He has created us and put us in our present environment, and we are absolutely in His power.”

When I consider the great love and kindness of God���expressed most powerfully in Jesus Christ���I entrust my life to Him. We are absolutely in His power. No matter what our present environment looks or feels like, we are in His power even there.

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Another Great Question

I follow Bob Tiede’s blog Leading with Questions, and today, I learned another great question to ask those you lead (or even family members). His guest post from Dan Rockwell on “12 Questions Guaranteed to Energize People” offers this tip: ask about secret work. He lists this question:

What good things are you doing that other people aren���t noticing?

This allows people to tell you ways they know they serve that stay hidden. With children, you can ask, “What good thing did you do today that you wished someone noticed?”

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