Heather Holleman's Blog, page 88

Let Me Reassure You

When I coach writers formally or talk to anyone trying to start or finish a book project, they inevitably lament all the lost writing time from the summer.

They had planned to write! They imagined long summer days of writing, reflection, and oodles of creativity. They thought that surely by August, they’d have finished their proposal, chapter, article, or book.

But they haven’t. They didn’t work hardly at all. And now the summer is gone.

I’ll tell you what I tell them. Do not worry! I don’t know many writers who work well in the summer. Forget about it! For a variety or reasons (family, changing schedules, etc.) most writers never get into a good writing rhythm in summer. And for whatever reason, most writers I know never work at all in the summer.

I’ve written 9 books and am contracted for the 10th, and I never wrote any of them in the summer. My best writing months are actually October and November. I’ve talked to other professional writers who say the same thing. They’ve tried to write in summer, and it doesn’t work.

But October?

Maybe it’s the colder weather. Maybe it’s the coziness of slippers, hot coffee, and a desire to stay indoors. Maybe it’s the fact that an autumn schedule lends itself to writing.

So press on! Forget the past. Don’t ever try to write in the summer again (unless it just happens!). Start your writing schedule next month or the month after. Email me if you need encouragement. I’ll be writing my own book wholeheartedly September-November.

If you’re anything like me and other professional writers, summer isn’t the best time to write. It’s October. Living with flair means you show yourself some grace and start again next month.

You Probably Need Even More

With the weather so very hot here in Pennsylvania, I remember to drink more water. And I remember what the Italian Mama recently told me about hydration. We think we are drinking enough water, but we most likely aren’t. Whatever amount you’re drinking, you probably need even more.

When it comes to hydration, you need more than you think.

So drink more! You need more water!

Simple Gifts

My lavender plant bloomed a year early! Just one purple flower recently emerged, and it smells divine. This wonderful bowl of cherry tomatoes goes in a garden salad tonight with my new favorite salad dressing (find recipe below)–a Balsamic Vinaigrette from this website: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/best...

 

Best Balsamic Salad Dressing

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly crushed black pepper finely ground

1 large garlic clove minced

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Back to School

So it begins again! Today I renewed my parking pass to park on Penn State’s campus. That moment always feels like the official beginning.

And the routine commences: I publish my course content for students on our Canvas site. I visit my classrooms. I pray blessing over my room and over the seats of each student.

I still do what we all do for Back-to-School: I choose a first day outfit. I pack my lunch. I endure the nervous jitters.

I’ve been living this academic life my whole life since kindergarten. I have never not been on an academic schedule. It’s the rhythm of my life.

The same week I start teaching, my daughters begin their classes–one in college and one in high school. So it begins! I pray that things feel a little normal (even in masks). This year, there’s no Zoom option for students, so I’m fully in-person. I’m so thankful! Join me in praying for students and teachers as the back-to-school season begins.

 

The Comfort of Psalm 112

This morning, I consider the beautiful promises from Psalm 112. In particular, I love how we read “even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous” and how “surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear. . . ” 

The psalm doesn’t say we won’t have darkness, bad news or things that attempt to shake up. Instead, we learn that we have light in the darkness; we have peace during the bad news. We have security and no fear in the midst of trouble. 

We will have trouble. We will have bad news. But we have light, security, peace, and steadfast hearts because of God– no matter what happens to us.

 

A Moody Publisher Monday Deal

Years Later, They Remember

Something so sweet happened at the store yesterday. While my oldest daughter and I were shopping for her new apartment in Pittsburgh, we ran into old friends. As I talked to the mother, her daughter smiled and said, “Mrs. Holleman, we were just talking about you. Do you remember your after-school snack platters that you made every day? When I came over in elementary school to play, you had the best snacks of anyone. I was thinking about those snack platters today.”

It’s been years. It’s been almost a decade. But she remembered. I think about the number of children holding the memory of after school snacks in their heart.

Later that night, my husband and I brought dessert to a family we hadn’t seen in a while. Their oldest son was starting kindergarten. The mother said, “Heather! I cannot wait to do the after school snack platter just like you!”

I laughed and smiled because the commitment to after school snacks seemed like such a small thing as part of the daily Warm Welcome home. It didn’t seem like a ministry or something I’d get any attention for. Motherhood feels like this. But then, one day, you see that something you did mattered and spread.

The after school snacks were all about greeting a child, letting her know she’s special and missed, keeping her nourished, and generating an atmosphere of slowing down and talking about the day. Popcorn. Hummus and pita. Cookies. Fruit. Veggies and dip. Cheese and crackers. Anything!

If your own family members are returning to school, it’s never too late to start an after school tradition. Find a platter or a large plate, and fill it with goodies for after school.

 

Two Days, A Month, or a Longer Time

This morning I read in Numbers 9 about the cloud that covered the tabernacle as the Israelites journeyed in the wilderness. When the cloud settled over the tabernacle, the people stayed inside the camp. They did not set out to continue their journey. But when the cloud lifted, the Israelites moved. They set forth in the direction God sent them.

I read this: “Whether it was two days, a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out.” 

Can you imagine the anticipation? The waiting? The wondering? How strange it must have felt to stay in place for a month or longer.

It’s not just COVID that has me thinking about being kept in place. I go through seasons (usually in the summer) of feeling reigned in from public events. I spend a significant amount of time praying, reading my Bible, and journaling in solitude. I stay in place. This has happened before. It’s what I know is a season of preparation for when God sends me out.

So when I read about the cloud that would lift to signal moving, I take note of the time. Consider the duration here. We don’t know what God knows. God sets the times for our movement. God may choose to keep a person in place for two days, a month, or longer.

I keep recalling Philippians 2:13 and this strange little truth: “For it is God who is at work in you to will and to act in order to fulfill to his good purpose.” I think of the Holy Spirit as our covering–our cloud that indicates when to move and when to stay. He will work to get us moving when the time is right.

And it might be in two days. It might be next month. It might be much longer.

In any case, we know God will fulfill His purpose.

The Sweeter the Fruit

My blackberry patch produces a handful of gorgeous, ripe berries every morning. However, even though I’ve solved the bird problem with my scare tape; even though I’ve created a beautiful area with lovely tied up canes; even though I’ve fertilized and removed pests, I discover another problem.

They taste bitter and more tart this year. Why? Well, I learn three things: First, I’m not watering them enough. Second, I don’t have technically the right soil as blackberries need loam soil (sand, clay, silt combination). Last, I need to let the berries ripen so much that they nearly fall into my hands.

Water. Good soil. Time. 

I think about the fruit of my own life. I think about writing projects, teaching, parenting, and relationships of all kinds. I think about how I can get all the externals right in my life, but I might not take care of my roots or give myself the time I need to grow in certain areas. I’m not offering the sweetest, best, authentic version if I lose that rootedness in God’s word,  the connection to the living water of the Holy Spirit, and the time needed before rushing into new things.

If the fruit is bitter, I go back to taking care of my roots.

The One Constant

In Hebrews 13:8, we read this: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” And in James 4:9, we read about the Father “who does not change like shifting shadows.”

God is unchanging. He is the same always. 

I think about how God stays constant. I need to remember this with everything that feels unsettled and changing. Will I teach in person? Will we all be in masks? The policies from Penn State change almost day-to-day. The only thing certain feels like uncertainty.

But God is a sure thing. He is certain and unchanging in His love for us, His provision, His presence, and His power. He is our constant hope when everything feels uncertain.