Abiding Together

In this episode, we welcome author, counselor, and speaker John Eldredge to the show, who is best known for his book Wild at Heart. We have a powerful conversation about intimacy with God in a world full of chaos, suffering, and spiritual hunger. We reflect on what it means to reclaim a "re-enchanted" Christian worldview, how to pray against chaos, the profound gift women have to offer the world right now. We also talk practically about how to pray as a couple, ask John to lead us in a guided "Pause" prayer, and invite you into a moment of stillness, surrender, and loving awareness of Jesus dwelling within you. 
 
Heather's One Thing - Midst from the Belonging Co.
Sister Miriam's One Thing - The Story I'll Tell by Naomi Raine
Michelle's One Thing - The Way of Trust and Love by Father Jacques Philippe 
Michelle's Other One Thing - Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
John's One Thing - The Abiding Together Podcast!
John's Other One Thing - William Augusto Instrumental Background Music
 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
The Pause App
John Eldredge's Website "Wild at Heart"
Waking the Dead by John Eldredge
The Sacred Romance by John Eldredge
Experience Jesus. Really. by John Eldredge
 
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!
 
Journal Questions:
How am I living like a "practical atheist"?
Where are you experiencing chaos in your domain?
When in your day can you turn toward the Lord with a simple prayer?
How have I experienced the friendship and communion of the Kingdom of Heaven in my life?
Where in my life am I believing I am too much and not enough?
 
Discussion Questions:
How would you define your domain? What has God entrusted to you?
When have you experienced God's beauty and order in the midst of chaos and hatred?
How have simple prayers led to transformation in your life?
How is God inviting you to be a healing remedy to the world right now?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it." (John Eldredge, Waking the Dead)



Scripture for Lectio:
"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing."  (Zephaniah 3:17)
 
Sponsor - Fully Alive Coaching Program:
Fully Alive Coaching Program is a trauma-informed Catholic coaching program for women and men who desire deep healing without compromising their faith. Created by licensed marriage and family therapist Brya Hanan, Fully Alive integrates Catholic Inner Child Work and somatic awareness in a gentle, Spirit-led journey—honoring the body, protecting the soul, and restoring wholeness.
For women and men who pray sincerely but still feel guarded, overwhelmed, or fragmented, Fully Alive offers a safe and structured path toward integration and life abundant. Learn more at catholicinnerchildwork.com/fully-alive and follow @catholicinnerchildwork for more trauma-informed and integrative resources to support your healing. 
Use the code "abiding" or reference it during a consultation to get 10% off!
 
Timestamps:

00:00 - Fully Alive Coaching Program
01:16 - Intro
02:02 - Welcome
04:18 - Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
06:11 - Where is the Holy Spirit Moving the Church Now?
10:54 - Balancing the Love Story within a World at War
14:08 - Learning to Pray Against the Chaos
19:10 - How to Pray Together as A Couple
21:39 - Being in Union with God
26:13 - How Does God Use Fatherhood to Repair His Children?
29:30 - The Pause App
33:45 - We Are Created for Intimacy with Christ
37:48 - Women are Part of God's Healing Remedy to the World
40:22 - One Last Message from John
44:20 - A "Pause" Meditation
48:30 - One Things

In this episode, we explore why spending time Scripture is essential for staying rooted in Christ and how it aids us in the midst of spiritual battle. We reflect on the reality that Scripture is the living Word of God, far more powerful than we often realize. It has the ability to encourage, correct, heal, and transform our hearts. We share personal stories of how the Holy Spirit has brought Scripture to life for us and how God's Word has been an anchor during seasons of difficulty. Friends, God desires to speak to you personally through His Word and is inviting you not into just another task, but into a deeper, life-giving relationship with Him.
 
Heather's One Thing - The Sisters of Life on Franciscan's Campus
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Healing Prayers and Renunciations by Bob Schuchts
Michelle's One Thing - Frontier Camp with Life Teen
 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
The Bible in the Year Podcast
Walking with Purpose Bible Studies
Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (Or find it at Ignatius Press here)
Magnificat
 
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!

 
Journal Questions:
How has the Lord encountered me through Holy Scripture?
How has the Lord surprised me in prayer and study of the Scriptures?
What obstacles prevent me from engaging with the Bible intentionally?
What book of the Bible is the Lord inviting me to pray with this year?
 
Discussion Questions:
What does your relationship with Scripture look like today?
How have you been healed, convicted, or converted by Holy Scripture?
Have you ever felt the Lord intimately and personally encounter you while reading Scripture?
What would it look like for you to encounter the Lord in Holy Scripture daily?
How do you want your relationship with the Word of God to be transformed?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men." Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely…" (CCC Paragraphs 101-102)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

 
Sponsor - Nazareth Organics:
Nazareth Organics is a Catholic family-owned natural skincare company.
Unlike many skincare companies that use lab-made chemical ingredients in their products, Nazareth Organics uses high quality, wild-crafted, and organic ingredients from nature and strives to support local farms and businesses whenever possible.
From nourishing facial serums and cleansers to diaper creams and sun screens, Nazareth Organics carries natural products for a wide array of skin conditions. They use grass-fed tallow as a base for many of their balms, because it is rich in fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids that can increase collagen production, strengthen the skin, and calm inflammation. With all these nutrients working in tandem to heal and nourish the skin, tallow is a powerhouse topical ointment for every skin type.
The best thing about this business, though, is that it's dedicated to the Holy Family of Nazareth. From website to packaging, every sustainably sourced product points back to the faith and the ultimate source of creation. They also donate a portion of all proceeds to Catholic charitable organizations.
If you want to honor and care for your body using pure and natural ingredients straight from God's hands, then check out Nazareth Organics.
You can find them at nazareth-organics.com and use code ABIDE10 at checkout for a 10% discount. Follow them on social media at: @nazarethorganics.
 
Timestamps:

00:00 Nazareth Organics
01:26 Intro
02:12 Welcome
03:45 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
04:44 The Power of Scripture
08:28 Scripture Never Gets Old
14:56 How Scripture Can Heal Wounds
19:04 It's Personal to You
24:32 Going Deeper into the Word of God
27:02 One Things

In this episode, we reflect on the tender and often misunderstood topic of forgiveness, what it is, what it isn't, and why it's central to finding freedom in Christ. We talk honestly about how resentment and unforgiveness can quietly build in the heart, often as an attempt to protect ourselves from further pain. We also acknowledge how difficult forgiveness can be, what to do with the cry of our hearts when we have been wounded, and how to entrust it to God when we don't yet feel capable of forgiving. Friends, forgiveness does not strip us of our identity, it affirms who we are in Christ. Even in the deepest places of hurt, we find hope because of the loving presence of a God who never abandons us in our pain.

 
Heather's One Thing - Greatness of the Lord by Brooke Ligertwood
Heather's Other One Thing - The Franciscan University Community 
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Heather's Battle Cry Playlist
Michelle's One Thing - Congratulations to Indiana University for winning the championship!
Michelle's Other One Thing - The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
Forgiving as Unity with Christ: A Journey for Healing Resentment and Relationships by Dr. Robert Enright

 
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!
 
Journal Questions:
What are the unhealed places of your heart?
Are you angry, sad, or frustrated at the wrong you've endured?
How have I experienced shame about the wrongs I've endured or my own unforgiveness?
How has this affected my health, wellbeing, or energy?
How do I replay or obsess over the conflict I experienced? 
How have I given into constant comparison in my unforgiveness?
What major changes have occurred in my life because of the injustice I've experienced and how have they affected me?
Has this experience led to a more negative worldview?
How has my sense of self changed? Am I seeing myself as worthless?
 
Discussion Questions:
How have you been sweeping things under the rug and calling it forgiveness?
What deeper feelings lie beneath your resentment?
Where in your life do you need to repent and take personal responsibility?
Who has modeled repentance and forgiveness well in your life?
How does your heart react to conflict and wrongdoing in relationships?
 
Quotes to Ponder:
"Ultimately, we can really forgive people only because Christ rose from the dead; his Resurrection is the guarantee that God can cure every wrong and every hurt." (Fr. Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)

Resentment attacks our vital forces and does us much harm. When someone has made us suffer, our tendency is to keep the memory of the wrong alive in our minds, like a "bill" we will produce in due time to demand settlement. Those accumulated bills end up poisoning our lives. It is wiser to cancel every debt, as the Gospel invites us to. In return, we will be forgiven everything, and our hearts will be set free, whereas nurturing resentment toward others closes us to the positive things they could contribute to us." (Fr. Jacques Philippe, Interior Freedom)


Scripture for Lectio:
"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times!"" (Matthew 18:21-22)

 
Sponsor - Blessed is She:
"Who do you say that I am?"
Jesus didn't ask this because He was uncertain of His identity. He asked because we often are.
The disciples had walked with Him. They had seen the miracles. They had heard the teaching. And still, when the question was asked, many hesitated. Because proximity to Jesus does not automatically mean intimacy. 
So often, our understanding of God is shaped by what we've absorbed over time—what we were taught, what we experienced, what others modeled for us. And without noticing, we begin to believe stories that aren't true.That God is distant. That He is easily disappointed. That love must be earned. That holiness requires perfection.
But Jesus does not leave us guessing. He tells us who He is: I am the Light of the World. I am the Bread of Life. I am the Good Shepherd. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life...
Join Blessed is She this Lent to journey with Jesus to Jerusalem in Who Do You Say That I Am? by Debra Herbeck. 
This Lenten devotional walks through the "I AM" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John and is written to lead you out of assumptions and into encounter. 
This Lent, let Jesus speak for Himself. And let that truth reshape the way you live.
Whether you've been walking with Jesus for years or you just met Him, drink even more deeply of the truths of who Jesus says He is in Who Do You Say That I Am? Get your women's and kid's devotionals at blessedisshe.net/lent.
Blessed is She is a Catholic women's community for any woman who wants to radically follow Jesus through a vibrantly Catholic life every single day. 
We create beautiful and accessible resources (like this year's Lent devotional), products, and experiences to deepen prayer and foster community, both online and in person.
We invite you into this community, no matter where you are on your walk with Christ.
You belong here.
Subscribe to our *free* daily emails to pray with the daily Mass readings and women all over the world at blessedisshe.net/subscribe and order the brand new Blessed is She Catholic journaling Bible at blessedisshe.net/shop.
 
Timestamps:

00:00 Blessed is She
01:30 Intro
02:16 Welcome
03:25 Scripture Verse and Quotes to Ponder
06:13 Repentance Leads to Freedom
07:53 Forgiveness is Hard
09:41 How Do I Forgive When I Don't Have the Capacity?
13:27 Modeling Repentance in Our Lives
17:35 Being Honest with Ourselves Can Be Painful
24:28 Sitting in the Pain and Setting Boundaries
29:34 Reflection Questions on Forgiveness
38:03 One Things

Welcome to season 18 kickoff with our annual tradition of the Word of the Year episode! Each year, we ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share what our words for 2026 mean to us and chat about the Saints journeying with us this year. We are excited to be back and look forward to what this year will bring!
 
Heather's One Thing - Big God, Little Devil by Dr. Sean Tobin (listen to Dr. Sean on the Restore the Glory Podcast too!)
Heather's Other One Thing - Let There Be by Amanda Cook
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP (buy on Amazon here)
Michelle's One Thing - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi



Other Resources Mentioned: 
Example of Grafting

 
Announcement:
Our 2026 Lenten book study will be "The Way of Trust and Love" by Fr. Jacques Philippe. Scepter Publishers has offered 15% off with the code ABIDE15. They also offer an ebook version as well. We will announce more information about the study in the coming weeks!
 
Journal Questions:
What was my word for 2025? How did the Lord work in and through me with that word?
What is my word for 2026?
How does my heart sit with the word revealed to me?
How is the Lord inviting me into deeper love & intimacy in this new year?
What is the Lord asking me to delight in?
Has the Lord entrusted a particular saint to journey with you this year?
 
Discussion Questions:
Reflect on and share about your word for 2025 and the graces you encountered through that word.
What images, phrases, artwork, or Scripture verses have been on your mind when praying about your word of the year?
What is your word for 2026? How did the Lord reveal it to you?
Do you feel surprised, apprehensive, or delighted by your word for 2026? How can you hold onto hope this year?
What is the Lord asking you to grow in?
 
Quotes to Ponder:
"For last year's words belong to last year's language, and next year's words await another voice." (T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding")
 
"Let yourself be silently drawn by the stronger pull of what you really love." (St. Elizabeth of the Trinity)



Scripture for Lectio:
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary." (Isaiah 40:31)
 
Sponsor - CORDA:
CORDA translates the stories of the saints into scents, and helps you create a place of prayer and peace in your home with their handcrafted Catholic candles.
Backed by 3,500+ 5-star reviews, CORDA candles have a beautiful modern design, are made with great ingredients like clean coconut wax and phthalate-free fragrances, and have an awesome burn time of 45 hours!
Plus, there's CORDA Rewards: earn points with every purchase that you can redeem for free products, gift cards, and free shipping. 
You should also check out their special wedding favors, bulk order discounts for nonprofits and businesses, and their super easy Catholic fundraisers!
Learn more and explore all of CORDA's handcrafted Catholic candles at cordacandles.com/abiding
 
Timestamps:

00:00 CORDA
01:38 Intro
02:25 Lent Announcement
03:10 Welcome
06:43 Scripture Verse and Quote to Ponder
08:24 Sister Miriam's Word of the Year
12:28 Heather's Word of the Year
17:16 Michelle's Word of the Year
25:13 Being Honest with Ourselves and with God
29:20 Our Saints of the Year
33:18 What if I don't have a Word of the Year?
34:26 One Things

In this episode, we end our journey at the Stable, the humble place where God chose for us to meet His Son. We reflect on the stable of our own hearts, how Jesus chooses to meet us in our own poverty now, and why His very presence brings healing. We also talk about how when we sit in our emptiness, release control, and surrender each part of our lives to God, He is able to work more powerfully in our lives. Finally, we ponder Mary's quiet and loving gaze upon the Christ Child and how we are invited to slow down and notice Jesus smiling back at us. 
Friends, we've deeply enjoyed journeying with you this year. As we take a break, please know you are in our prayers. We will see you on January 19th, 2026 when Season 18 begins! Have a blessed and merry Christmas!
 
Heather's One Thing - Our Abiding Together staff: Camille, Kate, and Kristina!
Heather's Other One Thing - The Sisters of Life new St. Francis convent in Steubenville
Heather's Third One Thing - Every Sacred Sunday's Edition of the  Catechism of the Catholic Church
Sister Miriam's One Thing - Our listeners and Patreon supporters. Thank you!
Sister Miriam's Other One Thing - Philosophy and Healing (with Fr. Matthew Rolling) from the Restore the Glory Podcast
Michelle's One Thing - The beauty of the different religious orders!
 
Finally, we arrive
at the Stable —
the poorest of places,
and yet, the holiest of all.
Here, in straw and silence,
the Infinite takes on skin.
The cry of a newborn
splits the night open,
and suddenly,
everything is sacred again
The invitation into the mess
 Into our own poverty…
The cry of our humanity …
Worship is not what we think it will look like. 

 
Other Resources Mentioned: 
The Nativity Painting by Caravaggio
Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You by Dr. James Friesen
 
Journal Questions:
Where do I find myself in "unsatisfactory condition"?
What are the scandalous places within me that I want to keep away from the Lord?
How am I managing my own creativity rather than welcoming the Holy Spirit into my creativity?
What beliefs am I carrying deeply about God? How does God want to heal these beliefs?
Where am I afraid?
How can I make space for Jesus and spend time with Him in this Christmas season?
 
Discussion Questions:
How are you tempted to sanitize the Mystery of the Incarnation in your own life?
Where in my life do I need a new perspective?
When have you experienced God coming to you in a way you weren't expecting Him to?
How am I seeking control in this season? How can I surrender that control?
What are the stables of my life that God is inviting me into deeper surrender?
 
Quote to Ponder:
"I am so glad Jesus was born in a stable, because my soul is so much like a stable. It's poor and in unsatisfactory condition - Yet, I believe that if Jesus can be born in a stable, maybe he can be born in me." (Dorothy Day)
 
Scripture for Lectio:
"In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)
 
Sponsor - Fully Mediterranean:
Our sponsor today is Fully Mediterranean, a company dedicated to helping people discover the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle, a way of eating and living that is both deeply nourishing and beautifully simple. At Fully Mediterranean, they believe that good health and good food go hand in hand—and that both of these begin in the same place: around the table, where we slow down, gather, connect, and are reminded of God's goodness in the everyday moments of life. It's where we feed not only our bodies, but also our relationships. And it's often where we rediscover joy, connection, and presence.
Fully Mediterranean was built on a mission to help people discover a simple, nourishing way of eating and living—a way that brings peace, beauty, and balance into everyday. Their approach is not about pressure or perfection. It's about gently integrating habits that help you live fully, with a sense of gratitude and mindfulness that aligns beautifully with our Catholic faith.
What makes the Mediterranean lifestyle so special is that it's not just a way of eating; it's a way of living. It's a lifestyle shaped by mindfulness, by community, and by gratitude. It's about slowing down, savoring what God provides, and sharing meals with the people He places in our lives. It's about choosing foods that nourish the body He entrusted to us—vibrant  vegetables, wholesome grains, fresh herbs, lean proteins, and healthy fats—while also embracing the joy and connection that come from preparing and enjoying meals with others.
Fully Mediterranean provides practical, realistic tools, guidance, and inspiration to help you bring these values into your kitchen and everyday life. Through recipes, programs, workshops, and practical nutrition guidance, we help women simplify healthy eating, feel confident in the kitchen, and rediscover the joy that comes from preparing meals that are both good for the body and soul-satisfying.
In a world filled with noise, pressure, and quick fixes, the Mediterranean lifestyle offers something gentler and more grounded—an invitation to live intentionally, joyfully, and wholeheartedly. It encourages us to choose foods that honor the bodies God created, to gather more often with the people we love, and to find celebration in simple, nourishing routines.
Whether you're looking to support your long-term health, gain energy for your daily responsibilities, or create more meaningful rhythms in your home, Fully Mediterranean is here to guide you every step of the way. We want to help you build a lifestyle that supports your well-being and draws you closer to living the full, abundant life God desires for you. 
Because at Fully Mediterranean, we believe that when you nourish your body well, you nourish every part of your life. And when you gather at the table with gratitude, intention, and love, you reflect God's goodness in the most natural, beautiful way.
If you're ready to bring more peace, health, and joy into your kitchen—and your life—we invite you to explore all that Fully Mediterranean offers. Discover delicious recipes, practical tips, and inspiring resources designed to help you integrate the Mediterranean way of living into your daily routine with ease and grace.
Join us and use the code Abidingtogether20 to receive 20% off any of our products, including our course, ebooks and Substack membership. Join the 30-day Mediterranean challenge starting January 1st for just $8. Visit us at www.fullymediterranean.com, Substack: fullymediteranean.com.substack.com and @fullymediterranean
 
Chapters:  
00:00 Fully Mediterranean 
01:37 Intro
02:30 Welcome to the Stable
05:56 Guiding Quote and Scripture Verse
07:12 The Poverty of Our Hearts
11:26 Surrendering the Messy Parts of Our Lives
15:30 Healing Our Image of God
19:31 What it Means to Ponder
21:37 Making Space in the Midst of a Busy Season
28:27 Season 18 Announcement!
28:58 One Things
 
Music used under license i94Cr0