Heather Holleman's Blog, page 51

As My Helper

I love the part of Psalm 119 where the priest writes, “Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.” 

I note several things. First, we might enjoy this image of God on our side as Helper as we go about our days. How powerful! How comforting! Second, when we feel fear, we can remember this image of God “on our side.” It makes me think of having a moment-by-moment advocate. Finally, I think about letting God live out this comfort through me to other people. Might I act as a helper to others? Might I help others in distress and lead them to God’s answer?

As we start the day, we can think of this image of God on our side.

Listing the Weaknesses

I’m learning more and more about how God’s power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reads: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I would like the power of Christ to rest on us. Perhaps it helps to list out the weaknesses. We’re normally taught to live out of our strengths, to celebrate them, to develop them. I’ve done this all my life. But what if I think about all I cannot do? What if I think about all the ways I’m bringing weakness to the table?

I don’t know how to create authentic community apart from the spirit of God. I don’t know how to bear fruit without abiding. I don’t know how to love people as they need to be loved. I don’t know how to parent adult children. I don’t know how to be myself sometimes. I don’t know how to offer wisdom in committee meetings. I don’t know how to organize my day. Oh, God, I need you in all these weaknesses! 

All God Did Then and Now

I currently can’t take my eyes off of Exodus 6:2-9. In my normal fashion, I find myself so enamored with the verbs of God. I bolded them for you below. Verse 3 matters because the two names of God show a God of covenant action. He can save, and He will. You can read about this here. 

But notice God’s great verbs:

God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.  I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord’.”

It’s the story of God revealing Himself and rescuing us. God speaks, appears, establishes the covenant, hears our sorrow, remembers us, brings us out of slavery, delivers us, redeems us, takes us to Himself, and then gives us good things. He is the unchanging God of these great actions on our behalf.

Helping Children Have Great Conversations on the First Day Of School

I’ve been talking to some great children about feeling nervous to meet new friends on the first day of school, especially if you don’t know anyone in your new classroom. What will I say? Will I have anything to talk about? Do I just stand there? 

It’s never too early to help children learn the art of conversation.

I sat on my lawn for an hour with delightful elementary school children, and we talked about the three best questions to ask a new young friend on the first day of school. (Of course, one little girl put her finger in the air and said, “You have to first start with asking what their name is and then say what your name is!” That’s right. Start with names.)

Then what?

Children love to talk about so many things, but I have found you can’t go wrong when you ask a child or teen about music, pets, and shows. Try it! You’ll be amazed if you ask these questions:

Did you find any cool music this summer? (When I asked the children, they wanted to talk about it! I learned about new pop songs, Disney soundtracks, all of it.)

Did you get any new pets? (Most children have had a pet, have a pet, or want a pet. When I asked this question, I learned more than I ever wanted to about gerbils, bunnies, and a dearly missed dog. I then had to introduce all of my cats. This was a long conversation, perfect for the lunch table. And it evolves into experiences with animals in nature. We talked about bears and deer. We laughed and laughed about how funny animals can be.)

What did you watch on TV? (This was a great conversation! I learned about new shows on Disney+ and Baking Impossible on Netflix. This was such a great time of connection!)

We practiced asking the three questions. I told the children they don’t need to worry about feeling awkward or not having anything to say to a new friend. Music, pets, shows. You can’t go wrong. And you’ll quickly find what you have in common with someone. You might just find your best friend on the first day of school!

Opening Your Eyes to Joy

This morning, my wonderful friend and mentor, Sandy, reminded me how to pray for people. She suggested I pray that God open our eyes to the blessings and joys around us, right where we are. We can cultivate grateful hearts, and that attitude changes everything.

I know that I’ve had times in my life when I couldn’t see the blessings around me. I didn’t know how to find my way back to gratitude for all the ways God was there and blessing me. My eyes were closed to it. I complained. I saw the negative thing everywhere.

I’m always amazed at how I can find myself in the exact same circumstances and, with eyes open to joy, experience my surroundings in a completely different way. Instead of complaining about what I don’t have, I can open my eyes to joy. I can ask God to give me a content heart, filled with gratitude, with eyes open to joy. It might be the sunlight filtering through a tree; it might be the awareness of the strength of our body as a gift from God; it might be a friend in our lives; it might be the way a delicious meal tastes or how a cat purrs.

God, please open our eyes to joy.

But What If It’s Great?

I learned something so wonderful from an elementary school counselor I met at a party. She told me that so many children struggle with the “what ifs.” What if nobody likes me? What if I can’t answer a question in class? What if I get sick? What if there’s a spider in the classroom? What if I say something wrong?

She encourages a nervous child to change every negative “what if” to a positive one: What if I find great friends? What if I have a good answer? What if I feel great? What if I feel safe? What if I say something right? 

I love her strategy. I’ve been using it every day since I heard it.

Transitioning to a New Season

I love the new season that’s nearly upon us! I know it’s still summer, but I’m counting down the days till September offers us fallen acorns, chilly mornings, autumn candles, and the hope of a fresh semester. I find myself full of anticipation. It’s time for new things! I’m putting this in place for the new: new exercise and eating habits, new friendships, new professional opportunities, and new spiritual practices. My new spiritual practices include adding in a chronological Bible reading plan, a deeper commitment to morning and evening prayer, and the practice of calling to mind my dependence on God throughout the day. Here are some of my pumpkins! Enjoy!

Visiting My Classrooms

Classes begin next week at Penn State! I love the day I visit my assigned classroom, get a feel for the space, and pray blessing over the room and my students. This year, my rooms feel cozy, but one of them will need insulation installed to block the sound of nearby construction. I’m hoping and praying the noise isn’t distracting. Here’s a look:

If you have a moment, I would love your prayers for a great semester. I’m teaching juniors, and these students have yet to enjoy a normal college semester. I’m sensitive to the struggles they endured, their loneliness, and their lack of motivation from two years of COVID. Please pray for us!

The Right Focus in Creating

Today I remembered to focus on the art and not the sales. Someone gave me wise advice when I began my writing career to let success or money simply arrive as the “happy accident” that comes with creating your art. Of course, when you’re making a living off of your art and need the income, these words seem off the mark. But I still stand by the idea of keeping your art the focus. Otherwise, you start performing for the market. You lose your authenticity and creativity. My publisher even told me to think about “impact and not sales.” I like that. Focusing on money tends to pollute the creative process.

This resonated with something I read in a Weight Watchers message board about how successful members maintain their healthy lifestyle. The quote goes like this: “Focus on the weight, and you lose the plan. Focus on the plan, and you lose the weight.” In other words, when you’re so focused on results, you can’t think about the incremental daily plan that ultimately achieves your goal. But when you focus on something else–the plan for healthy living–the weight loss becomes a “happy accident.” I like that.

Ordinary and Not Very Smart

I love the moment in Acts 4:13 when Peter and John stand before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish court system) and speak with boldness from the Holy Spirit. They tell all the smart leaders this statement about Jesus: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” I love what happens next. We read this: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

When Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit, it didn’t matter that they were ordinary or unschooled. What mattered was that they had been with Jesus. I’ve been in so many situations where I felt unschooled and ordinary–even with a PhD. I’m often in meetings with people much smarter than I am. I’m often in settings with brilliant people where I have to present and defend my ideas. What a comfort Acts 4 is in combination with other passages of scripture. I recalled the day I read Psalm 119: 97-99. The priest writes, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” A Christ-follower becomes wiser and more insightful than we can imagine. When you enter a room, if you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are the smartest, most powerful person in that room. It’s astonishing to consider this. 

Sometimes people are afraid of stepping out in ministry because they don’t feel qualified or smart enough. They don’t share their faith because they don’t have all the answers. Today, I remembered the encouragement from scripture that Peter and John were also technically unqualified and not smart enough. The Holy Spirit qualified them; Jesus gave them the wisdom and insight they needed. And they didn’t need to be afraid to enter any room with the smart people in town.