Heather Holleman's Blog, page 68

A Call for Patient Endurance

I’ve learned four things about how to patiently endure difficult things:

Expressing gratitude and actively hunting for the new morning mercies of God. (Lamentations 3 and 1 Thessalonians 5)Having faith in the unseen and that God is working for our good. (Romans 8)Gathering with friends who support and carry us. (Hebrews 3)Living for eternity since this is not our home. We are made for heaven. (Philippians 3:20: “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”)

Unseen Aid

This morning I found a quote from Billy Graham that gave me hope as I pray for Ukraine. He said simply this: “Believers, look up – take courage. The angels are nearer than you think.”

I pray for unseen aid against the enemy today. And I remember that in our own lives, we have both the nearness of God and the angels who guard us.

As Things Worsen

This morning I read the book of Habakkuk. It’s an appropriate book to read in a time of fear and suffering. As I watched the news last night and communicated with my Ukrainian student in class, I realized in a fresh way the suffering happening. And I thought about how it might not get better. In fact, things might get worse.

Are we prepared? Are we strengthened in our spirits to persevere through whatever hard things come our way?

As I asked these questions, I remembered Habakkuk. He is writing in fear and confusion about the “day of trouble” when war and invasion threaten God’s people. Nothing makes sense. Why is God allowing this? Why is there suffering? In the midst of such existential questions, we learn of God’s sovereignty and the need for our patience and trust. We learn that God sees what we don’t see and works out a plan we cannot understand yet. So Habakkuk concludes with, not anger, frustration, or despair, but with rejoicing. 

He writes these words in Habakkuk 3: 17-19 that can apply in a profoundly personal way (when we have personal suffering and disappointments) but also in a larger way to what may happen to us as a community, nation, or world in days to come.

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
    nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
    and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
    and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
    I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

I pray we feel like deer on high places today.

Putting Things In Perspective

Today I comforted my student from Ukraine whose cousin and uncle are fighting in the city. “They are still alive,” she said as I held onto her arms and watched her eyes fill with tears. “As of last night, they are still alive.”

Nothing mattered at that moment. Not verbs, not semicolons, not due dates, and not English department work dramas. Nothing mattered but holding onto my student and telling her that I was thinking of her every day, praying for her family every day, and staying right next to her to support her.

She said, “Do you think I can ask my other professor for an extension on an assignment?”

“Obviously!” I cried, “Your only job right now is to take care of yourself!”

Meanwhile, my student is organizing rallies and fundraisers. She chose the PSU slogan, too: WeAre With Ukraine. 

And I’m with her.

 

 

We Pray

This morning, I pray for God’s power and presence to infiltrate the hearts of those in battle. We need You, God! May your good and perfect will be accomplished! May Your people know Your peace and protection today.

Best with a Team

If you told me you were setting a new goal for yourself, you might hear this next question from me or my husband: “Where’s your team?”

Ash said this to me recently when I needed help solving a problem at work. He reminded me it’s not good to be alone and working on something alone. It’s always better to bring people in.

This morning, I remembered a different problem I wanted to solve–and a different goal for myself–so I asked if he’d be on my team for this, especially since he has a similar goals. My new favorite phrase with friends is now this: Let’s do this together!

Historically speaking, if friends and I work on our goals together, we succeed. This might include anything from our health journeys to our spiritual practices. I used to think my goals were personal and just for me; now I see myself wanting to always bring in other people to see how we can mutually grow in our goals. It goes like this:

Step One: What is the goal?

Step Two: Who else has this goal?

Step Three: How can we work together to achieve this goal?

It’s simple! I know now that we are always better together.

Just As Excited

Late last night, we heard the news that PSU would cancel classes today. We also heard that the school district had closed school for children. It’s a snow day all around! Yes!

I find I’m just as excited as a child. I’ll sleep in! I’ll wear cozy clothes! I’ll watch movies and drink hot cocoa with tons of whipped cream!

Who doesn’t love a snow day?

In reality, I use the day off to catch up on grading while taking occasional fun breaks for a snow walk (which was much too icy and windy). I also left my desk to sample the homemade blueberry lemon scones my daughter made. Even though I have been working all day, it still feels like a glorious snow day. There’s no pressure and no rushing. It’s just relaxing work at a good pace all day long. Maybe we’ll watch a movie this afternoon. Maybe we’ll bake something special. We’ll take our time.

I love a snow day!

 

When You’re Rushed or Pushed, Wait and Pray

I’m learning in my various leadership roles what it feels like to react rather than respond.

When I respond, it comes from a place of wisdom and prayer and from love and peace.

When I react, it comes from a place of fear, confusion, or some kind of emotion that makes me uncomfortable. Normally, I react when I feel pushed or rushed into something. I react when I feel like I must defend myself.

I’m learning it’s better to wait, to pray, to take a day to think before you respond to a situation, especially an emotionally fraught one. Not every conflict needs immediate resolution. Not every problem requires your attention in that exact moment. As leaders, we can wait, pray, and seek wisdom from God about when and how to move forward in a tense situation.

I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and goodness to help me when I’ve reacted instead of responded. Reactions often hurt others or aren’t worded correctly. They feel defensive. They often mean we seek forgiveness. Responses are loving, gentle, and seek the good of all parties.

The Ups and Downs

This morning, I didn’t even need a coat. I opened the door to warm, balmy air. But by afternoon, the freezing air returned. I’m bundled again in mittens, hat, and coat. Worse, an ice storm will come tomorrow.

The theme of these past two years involves flexibility in the face of the unpredictable. There’s no certainty lately. There’s no sure footing, even in terms of weather.

What now? I depend upon the only certain thing: the unchanging God who orders all our days.

Paths Made Ready

This morning, I’m struck by Hannah Whitall Smith’s description of a child fully surrendered to the care of others. She wishes for us to understand the joy and freedom of living as a “child in the Father’s house.” A child lets others meet her needs. A child lets others plan a beautiful day. A well cared for child expects only good of the day. She writes, “. . . [the child in the Father’s house] find his paths made ready, opening out as he comes to them day by day and hour by hour.”

I love thinking about God preparing our good and lovely paths today and how they will open out for us hour by hour as we live joyfully and without care as a child in our Father’s house.