S18 E23 - Friendship in the Lord: Worship and Friendship in the Lord (Chapters 9 & 10)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on the gift of friendship as a foretaste of heaven and a living image of God’s love. We talk about how we are meant to journey through life with each other, how God bonds us together along the way, and how these friendships are meant to last forever. We also discuss the gift of praising God for our friends, what it means to behold and not possess beauty, and how focusing on gratitude allows us to hold joy and sorrow in tension. Announcement: You can buy your copy of Friendship in the Lord...
info_outline
S18 E22 - Friendship in the Lord: Intimacy in Friendship (Chapters 7 & 8)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and discuss how friendship with others leads us into deeper intimacy with God. We talk about our longing for both human and divine communion, how healthy friendships free us from self-preoccupation, and why learning to receive feedback is essential to our growth. We also reflect on how unmet desires in friendship are signs of our longing for the Trinity and the importance of releasing lesser goods so that we can be free to receive God’s greater gifts. Announcement: You can buy your copy of Friendship in the...
info_outline
S18 E21 - Friendship in the Lord: Appreciation and Reconciliation (Chapters 5 & 6)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on how loving appreciation and reconciliation are the places where friendship matures. We talk about why healthy adult friendships draw us closer to the Lord, how the unique gifts of women and men reveal different facets of God's love, and how learning to behold another's beauty without trying to grasp or possess it calls forth our true identity. We also discuss the importance of recognizing how we've hurt others, expressing sincere sorrow, and allowing others to do the same. As we bring our wounds, suffering,...
info_outline
S18 E20 - Friendship in the Lord: Friendship is Two People Growing (Chapters 3 & 4)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on the ways God invites us to grow through the relationships He has entrusted to us. We talk about the importance of rightly ordered love, why true friendship always draws our gaze toward Christ, and the beauty of virtuous friendships between men and women. We also talk honestly about the fears, wounds, and misunderstandings that can arise in friendship, and the importance of repair in deepening a friendship. Friendship is not about finding someone to complete us, but about walking together toward holiness while...
info_outline
S18 E19 - Friendship in the Lord: What Friendship Means (Chapters 1 & 2)
Abiding Together
In this episode, we continue our book study on Friendship in the Lord and reflect on what it means to be truly known, deeply loved, and fully at home with another. We talk about why we must first learn to abide in the love of God, how appreciation helps others become who they were created to be, and what it looks like to grow in friendship over time. Whether friendship feels life-giving or challenging in this season of your life, we invite you to bring every desire, wound, and longing before the Lord, who first calls you His friend. Announcement: You can buy your copy of...
info_outline
S18 E18 - Friendship in the Lord: Foreword and Prologue
Abiding Together
In this episode, we begin our summer book study on Friendship in the Lord by Fr. Paul Hinnebusch, OP. We focus on the foreword and prologue and reflect on the difference between prudence and fear, the ways we self-protect in relationships, and our longing for authentic communion. We also talk about what it means to love without possessing, how to receive others as a gift, and why friendship is a foretaste of heaven. Other Resources Mentioned: Announcement: If you’d like a copy of Friendship in the Lord, you can buy your copy from (or ). Journal Questions: How...
info_outline
S18 E17 - The End of A Season
Abiding Together
In this episode, we conclude season 18 by reflecting on the grace-filled moments this past season and the quiet ways the Lord continues to invite us into deeper communion with Him. We share who our favorite guests were, which episodes deeply ministered to us, and what we are hoping for in this next season. Thank you for spending this season with us, friends. It has been such a gift to walk alongside you in every conversation, prayer, and story shared. We’ll be holding you close in prayer over the summer and look forward to gathering with you again on July 6th, 2026 for our summer book...
info_outline
S18 E16 - Preparing for Pentecost
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on how Pentecost is more than just an event of the past, but can be an ongoing outpouring of God’s love and grace in our lives today. We discuss how the Holy Spirit helps heal our wounds, restores communion with God, and teaches us how to live with power and boldness, even in the places where we feel unable to love the Lord. As we prepare our hearts for Pentecost, we talk practically about cultivating a posture of receptivity, learning to invite the Holy Spirit more deeply into our hearts, and how to allow His fire to illuminate our identity and transform us from...
info_outline
S18 E15 - Sacred Wounds
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on the sacred wounds of Jesus, the reality of our own woundedness, and Jesus’ invitation to make us well. We talk about how our wounds, so often hidden in shame or self-protection, when transformed, can actually become places of communion and grace. We also share about our personal experiences of facing fear or disappointment and how the slow, often painful, process of healing reminds us that God’s ways are not our own. Jesus tenderly meets us in every broken place within our hearts and ardently desires to make all things new. Heather’s One Thing - ...
info_outline
S18 E14 - Prophetic Motherhood
Abiding Together
In this episode, we reflect on the beautiful call of women to prophetic motherhood. We talk about how Our Lady models for us a motherhood that speaks life and calls forth goodness to all those she encounters. We also ponder what it means to be a spiritual mother, how Mary can help heal our wounded experiences of motherhood, and the difference between affirmations and prophetic words. As Pentecost draws near, we invite you to ask for Our Lady’s intercession to prepare your heart for a fresh outpouring of grace and to help you become a woman who brings life wherever she goes. ...
info_outlineIn this episode, we reflect on the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for all He has done in both the beautiful and difficult moments of life. We talk about how practicing gratitude can change our perspective of reality and helps us recognize where God has been present even in moments we do not understand. We also name the fears that can sometimes keep us from giving thanks and discuss how gratitude becomes an act of surrender that opens us to God’s steady, faithful presence. As a gift to you, we end today’s episode by doing Lectio Divina with Psalm 34 and invite you into a time of prayer with us.
Heather’s One Thing - Jalapeno, Pepper Jack, and Bacon Corn Pudding Recipe
Heather’s Other One Thing - Hell or High Water and Edens by Amanda Cook
Sister Miriam’s One Thing - Her SOLT Community
Michelle’s One Thing - College Football
Other Resources Mentioned:
- Life Transitions Part One and Part Two with Chris Benzinger
- One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
Journal Questions:
- What graces have I received this year?
- How did the Lord accompany me this year?
- What do I need to let go of as we transition into a new liturgical year?
- What parts of my life am I afraid to give thanks for?
Discussion Questions:
- What has the Lord taught you in this season?
- What was surprising this past year?
- What challenges and joys did you experience this year?
- Where are you resistant to give thanks?
Quote to Ponder:
“Gratitude is at the center of a life of faith. It sounds too simple to be true, but isn't that the sign of all deep truth: so simple we're tempted to dismiss it, and so hard, it is exactly what God uses to change our hard lives.” (Ann Voskamp)
Scripture for Lectio:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord, and was saved from every trouble. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:1-8)
Sponsor - The GIVEN Institute:
The GIVEN Institute is a vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to activating the gifts of women for the Church and the world. GIVEN wants to help you receive the gift that you are, realize the gifts you’ve been given, and respond with the gift only you can give.
Applications are now open for GIVEN’s 2026 Leadership Program. Faithful Catholic women between the ages of 21 and 35 are encouraged to apply today!
GIVEN’s program includes participation at the Leadership Forum from June 24-28, 2026 in Washington, DC and a year of dedicated, 1-on-1 mentorship with an established Catholic female leader. Abiding Together Co-Host Heather Khym will be a speaker at the 2026 Leadership Forum next June along with other phenomenal Catholic women leaders of all ages, all vocations, and all walks of life.
If you are a woman between the ages 21 and 35 and seeking leadership training, faith formation, and support to better understand and pursue your particular mission, GIVEN’s Leadership Program is designed just for you! You’ll grow in relationship with Christ, gain a deeper understanding of your personal vocation, and be empowered to develop an Action Plan to activate your personal gifts to impact the world.
For women over 35 with a desire to get involved, please consider becoming a Mentor or Volunteer! For more information and to apply, please visit www.giveninstitute.com/forum.
Chapters:
00:00 The Given Institute
01:26 Intro
02:16 Welcome
03:45 Practicing Being Thankful First
06:01 Giving Thanks in All Things
08:25 Gratitude is the Center of A Life of Faith
11:22 Being Afraid to Give Thanks
13:14 Lectio Divina
23:18 Our Reflections from Lectio
28:46 One Things
Music used under license i94Cr0