There's something about Christmas Day that gives us freedom to slow down, chill, hang out with those we love and eat way more than we should eat. It's Christmas! It's one of those days we have permission to be super lazy all day long, with no repercussions. I have a feeling the Spurs thought so too! They forget they had to work on Christmas Day. Epic meltdown at home against the Houston Rockets.
I'm sure Coach Pop had a nice cozy fireside chat with his team in the locker room that night after the game. Looking back to evaluate what went wrong that night and how the team can improve is not a bad thing. It's necessary. But, if the Spurs focused on that really horrible Christmas day game, they would just be groveling in the past. They have to learn from their mistakes, while looking forward and planning for future games.
As we count down the last days of 2013, it would be wise for us to do the same. Take time to look back and evaluate this past year. Consider these questions: 1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2013 for me? 2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments were highlights in 2013? 3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2013: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, and recreationally. 4. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to move forward with?
Why not consider taking time to think through the above four questions? Evaluating the past year can give us direction for how to move forward in 2014. Take time this week to thank God for this past year. Every day of our life is a gift to be cherished. We are not promised tomorrow. Lastly, look forward to the year to come. Begin thinking about what you'd like to see happen in your life in 2014. Anticipate and smile at the future, knowing that it is ultimately God who holds your future.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Gracie Lou and Christmas Shenanigans
Gracie Lou, our 12.5 year old English Springer, is up to her Christmas Shenanigans once again. With a recent diagnosis of liver cancer, we have most certainly walked through some sad days lately. Gracie Lou, however, is determined to keep us laughing and make this Christmas memorable. She will not be outdone. Just yesterday, I spotted a 9x13 plastic container of recently baked gingerbread cookies down on the floor, near the doggie door. I assume she was masterminding an exit strategy through the door, but hit a major loophole. Or should I say, too small of hole?
Of course, having spent 11 Christmases with Gracie Lou, I can recall countless Christmas mischief. How about the year that I had a beautifully wrapped gift box of goodies from Knott's Berry Farm, only to find the pancake mix box contents spread all over the floor? Or how about the time(s) where she got into the entire gift box of chocolates? Of course, doggies and chocolates don't do well together, so we've seen more than one holiday trip to the vet for these misdemeanors. I learned early on that I couldn't place any gifts under the tree until Christmas, because she thinks ALL the gifts are hers and proceeds to open each one.
So, yesterday, when I saw the cookie container by the doggie door, I folded my arms together and just stared at her. (trying not to smile) Her low-hanging head demonstrated her remorse and guilt. She knew full well what she had done. She slowly did a 180 and proceeded to slink out of the room. Of course, Gracie Lou gets lots of grace these days.
Sin is a crazy thing. We know we are wrong at times, but try our best to cover up stuff. Sin management. We want to hide our guilt and mistakes...as if they didn't happen. Our bad stuff. We want to tiptoe out of the room, just like Gracie Lou and make like we didn't do what we did. Mean to our spouse. Stretch the truth. Cheat. Gossip. Judge someone else. Treat someone with a lack of respect. Hold a grudge. And somehow, we can make like our actions are acceptable.
God hates sin. God loves us. That's why we have Christmas. He loved us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to have a full and open relationship with Him. I made that decision years ago to accept Christ as my Savior. I now get it. I'm still going to sin until my dying day. But now, I can go to God and ask forgiveness. And you know what? He will always forgive me, because of my relationship with Christ. Always. He will do the same for you as well.
Gracie Lou's shenanigans remind me of my own propensity to sin. She also reminds me of God's grace. I will continue to extend to her the grace that I have received from God. What else is there to do?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Of course, having spent 11 Christmases with Gracie Lou, I can recall countless Christmas mischief. How about the year that I had a beautifully wrapped gift box of goodies from Knott's Berry Farm, only to find the pancake mix box contents spread all over the floor? Or how about the time(s) where she got into the entire gift box of chocolates? Of course, doggies and chocolates don't do well together, so we've seen more than one holiday trip to the vet for these misdemeanors. I learned early on that I couldn't place any gifts under the tree until Christmas, because she thinks ALL the gifts are hers and proceeds to open each one.
So, yesterday, when I saw the cookie container by the doggie door, I folded my arms together and just stared at her. (trying not to smile) Her low-hanging head demonstrated her remorse and guilt. She knew full well what she had done. She slowly did a 180 and proceeded to slink out of the room. Of course, Gracie Lou gets lots of grace these days.
Sin is a crazy thing. We know we are wrong at times, but try our best to cover up stuff. Sin management. We want to hide our guilt and mistakes...as if they didn't happen. Our bad stuff. We want to tiptoe out of the room, just like Gracie Lou and make like we didn't do what we did. Mean to our spouse. Stretch the truth. Cheat. Gossip. Judge someone else. Treat someone with a lack of respect. Hold a grudge. And somehow, we can make like our actions are acceptable.
God hates sin. God loves us. That's why we have Christmas. He loved us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to have a full and open relationship with Him. I made that decision years ago to accept Christ as my Savior. I now get it. I'm still going to sin until my dying day. But now, I can go to God and ask forgiveness. And you know what? He will always forgive me, because of my relationship with Christ. Always. He will do the same for you as well.
Gracie Lou's shenanigans remind me of my own propensity to sin. She also reminds me of God's grace. I will continue to extend to her the grace that I have received from God. What else is there to do?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Christmas Frenzy!
The Christmas frenzy is upon us. Crowded airports. Long lines in the stores. Early morning shopping deals. Wrapping and exchanging gifts. Christmas parties. Perhaps, I feel the frenzy most when I dare to join the throngs and go Christmas shopping. As I exit the mall, I get a kick out of stealthy cars, hoping to score a close parking spot by following close on my heels to my car.
Yesterday, I was shopping in Boerne with a friend and we came upon a variety of nativity scenes. As I looked at each one, I was captivated by the simplicity and ruggedness of the manger scene. Three wise men. Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus. A camel, sheep and manger. Barns for the most part, aren't real cozy, warm and comfortable places. No curtains. No couches or beds. No heaters. No decorations. No lights. The birth of the baby Jesus in such a place seems a far cry from how Christmas is depicted today.
The baby Jesus could have been born in a shopping mall. But He wasn't. Or on a subway in Manhattan. Or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Or Hollywood on a hill. But He wasn't. God chose a simple manger, far from civilization for the birth of His Son. Jesus' birth characterized his entire life, one of humility. His life was not about getting a name for Himself. Jesus' life was about glorifying His Father in life as well as death. We would do well to follow Jesus in His character and actions.
Take a look at a nativity scene this week. Stare at it for a while. Allow yourself time to walk into the manger. Hear the sounds from the barn. Feel the cold and wind leaking through the old barn cracks. Move close to the manger and look intently on the baby Jesus. Hear his cries. Look at the wonder and amazement on Mary and Joseph's faces. Feel what they must have felt. Jesus' birth is one amazing miracle.
Could it be that the Christmas frenzy hinders you from contemplating the beauty and simplicity of Christmas? Ask yourself, "Have I allowed Christmas to become way too big a production? How can I simplify for me and/or my family? How can I focus these days leading up to Christmas on what matters most?" Today is a new day. Let's start up by looking to the manger...and learning from the beauty and simplicity of Jesus' birth. Merry Christmas!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Yesterday, I was shopping in Boerne with a friend and we came upon a variety of nativity scenes. As I looked at each one, I was captivated by the simplicity and ruggedness of the manger scene. Three wise men. Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus. A camel, sheep and manger. Barns for the most part, aren't real cozy, warm and comfortable places. No curtains. No couches or beds. No heaters. No decorations. No lights. The birth of the baby Jesus in such a place seems a far cry from how Christmas is depicted today.
The baby Jesus could have been born in a shopping mall. But He wasn't. Or on a subway in Manhattan. Or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Or Hollywood on a hill. But He wasn't. God chose a simple manger, far from civilization for the birth of His Son. Jesus' birth characterized his entire life, one of humility. His life was not about getting a name for Himself. Jesus' life was about glorifying His Father in life as well as death. We would do well to follow Jesus in His character and actions.
Take a look at a nativity scene this week. Stare at it for a while. Allow yourself time to walk into the manger. Hear the sounds from the barn. Feel the cold and wind leaking through the old barn cracks. Move close to the manger and look intently on the baby Jesus. Hear his cries. Look at the wonder and amazement on Mary and Joseph's faces. Feel what they must have felt. Jesus' birth is one amazing miracle.
Could it be that the Christmas frenzy hinders you from contemplating the beauty and simplicity of Christmas? Ask yourself, "Have I allowed Christmas to become way too big a production? How can I simplify for me and/or my family? How can I focus these days leading up to Christmas on what matters most?" Today is a new day. Let's start up by looking to the manger...and learning from the beauty and simplicity of Jesus' birth. Merry Christmas!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Messing Up on Thanksgiving
It was an atypical Thanksgiving day in Dallas, 1993. I woke up early to get downtown to run in the annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. Sleet and ice were forecasted for later that day. Not a great day in the neighborhood. Later that afternoon, I vividly remember sliding down the street on a sheet of ice to my neighbor's house for a Thanksgiving celebration. I was doing what I love on Thanksgiving...starting the day with the Trot, enjoying a meal with close friends and watching my beloved Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys? A game I'll never forget. Some of you know where I'm going with this. :) The Cowboys were 7-3 and playing the Miami Dolphins. (8-2) They were leading by a score of 14-13 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins were attempting a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most all of the Cowboys were celebrating like crazy, Leon Lett attempted to recover the ball. He slipped on the ice as he tried to pick up the ball. Miami recovered on the Dallas one-yard line. Had Lett done nothing, the Cowboys would have had possession and won the game. By touching the ball and failing to hold on to it, Lett allowed the Dolphins to take possession, try another kick and win the game. Whether you care about football or not, you gotta feel for the guy. Major mess up on Thanksgiving Day.
I wonder how many times on Thanksgiving Day, Cowboy fans play back that horrible memory. Most of us laugh now. Maybe Leon Lett laughs about it now. I hope so. But,, I bet he didn't mean to make a mistake that day. It just happened. Momentary brain block. Whatever. He thought he was doing a good thing. But, he messed up.
We have such high expectations when it comes to the holidays. We want it all to go well. No fights on the way to Grandma's house. Perfect outcomes with all the food. No long lines at the store. No expectations with family members. Great deals on Black Friday. The holidays can be stressful, even on Thanksgiving. When things mess up for whatever reason, how do we respond?
Today is a great day to put on your Thanksgiving week perspective. Are you going to be the kind of person that others enjoy being around? Grateful? Able to laugh at your mistakes? Gracious to others who make mistakes? Forgiving quickly? Patient with others? Start your week committed to practice not only gratitude, but a way of life that demonstrates a godly and loving character. Don't judge those around you when they don't do what YOU would do. Give people grace. And then some more grace. Love them in spite of messin' up. Cause you know what? We all mess up, sooner or later. Ask Leon Lett. Happy Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The Cowboys? A game I'll never forget. Some of you know where I'm going with this. :) The Cowboys were 7-3 and playing the Miami Dolphins. (8-2) They were leading by a score of 14-13 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins were attempting a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most all of the Cowboys were celebrating like crazy, Leon Lett attempted to recover the ball. He slipped on the ice as he tried to pick up the ball. Miami recovered on the Dallas one-yard line. Had Lett done nothing, the Cowboys would have had possession and won the game. By touching the ball and failing to hold on to it, Lett allowed the Dolphins to take possession, try another kick and win the game. Whether you care about football or not, you gotta feel for the guy. Major mess up on Thanksgiving Day.
I wonder how many times on Thanksgiving Day, Cowboy fans play back that horrible memory. Most of us laugh now. Maybe Leon Lett laughs about it now. I hope so. But,, I bet he didn't mean to make a mistake that day. It just happened. Momentary brain block. Whatever. He thought he was doing a good thing. But, he messed up.
We have such high expectations when it comes to the holidays. We want it all to go well. No fights on the way to Grandma's house. Perfect outcomes with all the food. No long lines at the store. No expectations with family members. Great deals on Black Friday. The holidays can be stressful, even on Thanksgiving. When things mess up for whatever reason, how do we respond?
Today is a great day to put on your Thanksgiving week perspective. Are you going to be the kind of person that others enjoy being around? Grateful? Able to laugh at your mistakes? Gracious to others who make mistakes? Forgiving quickly? Patient with others? Start your week committed to practice not only gratitude, but a way of life that demonstrates a godly and loving character. Don't judge those around you when they don't do what YOU would do. Give people grace. And then some more grace. Love them in spite of messin' up. Cause you know what? We all mess up, sooner or later. Ask Leon Lett. Happy Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The Gift of Sensitivity
Christmas brings up all sorts of special memories. I remember as a kid making Gingerbread men cookies and leaving a few out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Santa must have liked them because they were always gone by Christmas morning. I remember each year Daddy would bring home a live potted Christmas tree that would we plant in our field right after the holiday. As a child, the anticipation and wonder of Christmas was magical. I have many wonderful memories.
I also remember in later years having a hard time during some holidays. For so many years, I was single and missed the joy of having a partner to celebrate the holidays with. It was a discipline for me to focus on the true reason we celebrate Christmas, and not give in to comparison, jealousy or sadness for what I lacked. It reminds me that not everyone sees this time of year as joyful.
As we gear up for the holiday frenzy around us, maybe we could all give a gift that costs absolutely nothing. The gift of sensitivity. Take time to notice the people around you. The lonely waiter. The stressed out Macy's salesperson. The person on the treadmill next to you. Your friend that just got divorced. An elderly widow. Someone who can't make it home for the holidays. Take time to ask. Take time to listen. Invite someone for a meal. Send a card. Initiate a prayer. Simple, low cost ways of loving those around us with sensitivity.
For those of you that struggle this Christmas, never forget the joy of why this season is so special. It's not the glitter, gifts or even festive parties that are important. It's the beauty of the birth of the baby Jesus in a manger longer time ago. The simplicity of the baby Jesus, wrapped in hope for a dark world. Peace. Hope. Love. Joy. All available in Christ. May God encourage you this season with new beginnings and new found hope.
For all of us, let's be quick to be sensitive to those around us at the holiday season. You may not feel like you're that sensitive of a person, but give it a try. You'll be surprised. We have no clue what some might be facing, even though they "look" happy on the outside. Take time to notice. Take time to care. Go the extra mile. Show love and compassion to those who are hurting. Yes, this is the beauty of Christmas. You may not even realize the difference you could make in someone else's life today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I also remember in later years having a hard time during some holidays. For so many years, I was single and missed the joy of having a partner to celebrate the holidays with. It was a discipline for me to focus on the true reason we celebrate Christmas, and not give in to comparison, jealousy or sadness for what I lacked. It reminds me that not everyone sees this time of year as joyful.
As we gear up for the holiday frenzy around us, maybe we could all give a gift that costs absolutely nothing. The gift of sensitivity. Take time to notice the people around you. The lonely waiter. The stressed out Macy's salesperson. The person on the treadmill next to you. Your friend that just got divorced. An elderly widow. Someone who can't make it home for the holidays. Take time to ask. Take time to listen. Invite someone for a meal. Send a card. Initiate a prayer. Simple, low cost ways of loving those around us with sensitivity.
For those of you that struggle this Christmas, never forget the joy of why this season is so special. It's not the glitter, gifts or even festive parties that are important. It's the beauty of the birth of the baby Jesus in a manger longer time ago. The simplicity of the baby Jesus, wrapped in hope for a dark world. Peace. Hope. Love. Joy. All available in Christ. May God encourage you this season with new beginnings and new found hope.
For all of us, let's be quick to be sensitive to those around us at the holiday season. You may not feel like you're that sensitive of a person, but give it a try. You'll be surprised. We have no clue what some might be facing, even though they "look" happy on the outside. Take time to notice. Take time to care. Go the extra mile. Show love and compassion to those who are hurting. Yes, this is the beauty of Christmas. You may not even realize the difference you could make in someone else's life today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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