It’s been a week since the not-so-friendly canine who shall remain nameless became a canine criminal. He now has his own SAPD number. Yep, he was out to get me. And I lost the battle. What remains from our encounter? A not-so-nice wound on my leg that will slowly become a scar.
Maybe you can relate. Maybe you had a bad tumble as a kid and a scar remains. A recent surgery.
A car accident. Injured serving in the military. Scars remind us of something that took place that caused significant pain. Scars usually remain our entire life. Scars are like war wounds. They never go away, but the pain from that wound can dissipate.
Yet, not all wounds and scars are physical in nature. Many of us have emotional and relational
wounds as well. The longer we’re on this earth, the more scars we might experience. A memory from childhood that brings pain to your soul. A severed relationship with a friend. The death of a family member or close friend. An unfulfilled longing. Being judged unfairly. Rejected by a friend or family member. A work issue. Other times, we are the cause of our own wounds…self-inflicted. We hurt ourselves! Bad choices that we make that affect us for life.
In time, my dog wound will heal. A scar will eventually form to be an outward reminder of the canine criminal. A story to tell. However, sometimes the wounds of life can be with us for a long time. We can stuff our emotional and relational wounds acting like they never hurt us, pushing them out of our emotional sight. For others, we rewind the wound over and over in the recesses of our mind. We obsess about the wound and as a result, it remains open and raw. How can we thrive in life if our wounds and scars get the best of us?
What wounds and scars do you carry today? Anne Graham Lotz in ‘Wounded by God’s People’ writes “God’s purpose for us is not to make us healthy, happy, prosperous, and problem-free. His ultimate purpose is to conform us to the image of His own dear Son, that we might bear much fruit to His glory. And sometimes, in fulfilling that purpose, He allows us to be hurt.” God has a purpose and will use everything that comes your way in life. He will use your wounds and scars for good. I can honestly say that I love and trust God more because He’s carried me through my wounds. He’s reminded me He is good-all the time. Don’t be afraid to come to grips with your hidden wounds. Share them with a trusted friend. Run to God for help. He is always with you and longs to care for you. Take the journey toward healing. It’s worth it.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Lessons From a Dog Bite
Could I fit in a run before taking off for Game 2 with Portland with a friend? I thought so, no problem. So, off I went into the neighborhood going up and down familiar side streets. Just as I turned down one street, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a lady and a dog at the entrance to their backyard fence. Before I could even think about it, the dog ran straight toward me and I felt this instant shock go through my body. It didn't take but one look behind my leg to realize that this was pretty serious.
Time seemed to stand still as neighbors heard my screams and called 911. People were gathering and gawking. Soon, the EMT arrived as well as ambulance. My husband had left earlier that day to go down to Dilley, Texas to serve in a Karios Prison weekend. He would have been in the prison by that point of the day, so he had no access to a phone. So, when people asked about whom to call, in a stupor, I said "I can't get a hold of my husband...he's serving in prison and has no access to the phone." I heard some whispers around me to the affect of "her husband is in prison..." I'm sure they felt sorry for me.
That night, my plans changed dramatically. Ben, my husband, came back from the prison. We watched the Spurs game in my hospital room. I gave the Spurs tickets to my friend. Stitches were sown. Doctor's strong words were given. Crutches were handed over to their new owner. Wheeled out of North Central Baptist about midnight, I was happy to be going home.
As I woke up the next day, (on my birthday) I had to come to grips with the reality that life doesn't always go the way I want it to go. Accidents happen...even on a birthday. Life gets altered by something that we don't plan on. All at once, simple things like exercise, going to the grocery, walking up stairs and doing laundry provide a challenge. I've learned that I really like the recipe I have for life. When things go MY way. When I'm free from things that just mess up MY routine that I've grown to love. Yep, It's not fun to be out of control.
In my weakness, I'm realizing that God is good and has a plan, even with a dog bite. He will use even a dog bite to each me about His sovereign care and love for me. He will remind me that He will take care of me and help me through the simple frustrations that I'm experiencing. He will also remind me of people who have it so much worse and teach me a new level of compassion for others.
Unplanned, unexpected things happen in all of our lives. We may not understand why, But God calls us to trust Him in the midst. We may feel alone and frustrated, yet God is with us and will never forsake us. The dog bite left it's mark. The birthday will be memorable. The lessons learned...invaluable.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Time seemed to stand still as neighbors heard my screams and called 911. People were gathering and gawking. Soon, the EMT arrived as well as ambulance. My husband had left earlier that day to go down to Dilley, Texas to serve in a Karios Prison weekend. He would have been in the prison by that point of the day, so he had no access to a phone. So, when people asked about whom to call, in a stupor, I said "I can't get a hold of my husband...he's serving in prison and has no access to the phone." I heard some whispers around me to the affect of "her husband is in prison..." I'm sure they felt sorry for me.
That night, my plans changed dramatically. Ben, my husband, came back from the prison. We watched the Spurs game in my hospital room. I gave the Spurs tickets to my friend. Stitches were sown. Doctor's strong words were given. Crutches were handed over to their new owner. Wheeled out of North Central Baptist about midnight, I was happy to be going home.
As I woke up the next day, (on my birthday) I had to come to grips with the reality that life doesn't always go the way I want it to go. Accidents happen...even on a birthday. Life gets altered by something that we don't plan on. All at once, simple things like exercise, going to the grocery, walking up stairs and doing laundry provide a challenge. I've learned that I really like the recipe I have for life. When things go MY way. When I'm free from things that just mess up MY routine that I've grown to love. Yep, It's not fun to be out of control.
In my weakness, I'm realizing that God is good and has a plan, even with a dog bite. He will use even a dog bite to each me about His sovereign care and love for me. He will remind me that He will take care of me and help me through the simple frustrations that I'm experiencing. He will also remind me of people who have it so much worse and teach me a new level of compassion for others.
Unplanned, unexpected things happen in all of our lives. We may not understand why, But God calls us to trust Him in the midst. We may feel alone and frustrated, yet God is with us and will never forsake us. The dog bite left it's mark. The birthday will be memorable. The lessons learned...invaluable.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Speak Life
When was the last day you went the entire day without speaking? Highly unlikely, unless you were attending a silent retreat in a remote hill country cabin. Speaking is just a part of our everyday life. Interesting factoid: Did you know that a woman uses about 20,000 words per day while a man uses about 7,000? (Dr.Louann Brizendine, The Female Brain)
It’s no surprise that women far surpass men on the number of words spoken daily. Yet, I’m not so sure it’s a statistic that I’m proud of as a woman. The problem is that the more words we speak, the more temptation to speak without thinking. The bigger the opportunity to insert foot in mouth. The more potential to hurt or wound others with our words. Yes, our words matter. Do they speak life or death?
I never really thought about Toby Mac’s “Speak Life” lyrics until the other day: "Some days the tongue gets twisted, Other days my thoughts just fall apart, I do, I don’t, I will, I won’t, It’s like I’m drowning in the deep. Well it’s crazy to imagine, Words from our lips as the arms of compassion, Mountains crumble with every syllable, Hope can live or die."
So often our words flow out before we even consider what we’re saying and how we’re saying it. We may hurt someone and not even know it! The recipient might act like everything is OK but deep down they’re hurt by our words. The power of the tongue is great. The song goes on…."Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire, Hope will fall like rain,When you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher, Use your words to inspire, Joy will fall like rain, When you speak life with the things you say."
How can you speak life with the words you say? Will your words inspire others today? "Believe the best about people. Pray for their shortcomings. You are not the standard. We all need grace." (LaCrae) Speak life today.
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
It’s no surprise that women far surpass men on the number of words spoken daily. Yet, I’m not so sure it’s a statistic that I’m proud of as a woman. The problem is that the more words we speak, the more temptation to speak without thinking. The bigger the opportunity to insert foot in mouth. The more potential to hurt or wound others with our words. Yes, our words matter. Do they speak life or death?
I never really thought about Toby Mac’s “Speak Life” lyrics until the other day: "Some days the tongue gets twisted, Other days my thoughts just fall apart, I do, I don’t, I will, I won’t, It’s like I’m drowning in the deep. Well it’s crazy to imagine, Words from our lips as the arms of compassion, Mountains crumble with every syllable, Hope can live or die."
So often our words flow out before we even consider what we’re saying and how we’re saying it. We may hurt someone and not even know it! The recipient might act like everything is OK but deep down they’re hurt by our words. The power of the tongue is great. The song goes on…."Lift your head a little higher, Spread the love like fire, Hope will fall like rain,When you speak life with the words you say. Raise your thoughts a little higher, Use your words to inspire, Joy will fall like rain, When you speak life with the things you say."
How can you speak life with the words you say? Will your words inspire others today? "Believe the best about people. Pray for their shortcomings. You are not the standard. We all need grace." (LaCrae) Speak life today.
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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