I just checked the calendar today and realized that summer is half way over. How can this be? Pretty soon, we'll be seeing advertisements for back-to-school clothes. Kids will leave for college. Football scrimmages will start. Vacations will be over. Yikes! I have SO many more things I want to do this summer!
It seems as if summer time can be so busy, just like the rest of the year. Somehow, we've programmed ourselves to do more, achieve more, plan more and supposedly live more...even in the summer! Yet, so often, we become tired, wear and worn down from the pace of life. If not careful, we'll lose our joy in our fast-paced noisy culture.
I've recently allowed myself to get way too busy. I found myself making silly little mistakes. Forgetting things. Doing stupid things. I had to take some time to do a quick inventory of my life. How can I slow down? Do I need to say "no" more? Am I taking time to enjoy the beauty of summer and do the fun things that pour life into me? I took some time to recalibrate and make some healthy changes.
How about you? Look at your calendar for the next few months. What would you like to make SURE you do for fun? Family weekend getaway? Trip to the beach? Kayak? Staycation plans? Books you want to read? New hobby? Reconnect with an old friend? Maybe these questions will job your memory for some things you need to plan for.
I have found taking a Sabbath a way to fit in some of those things that rejuvenate me. Do you set aside a day each week where your work comes to a halt? You probably initially think that's crazy. How can I go a day without work? But, a Sabbath is a 24 hour break from all those things we HAVE to do. A Sabbath reminds me that I don't rule the universe nor need to. God is ultimately in control and a Sabbath reminds me of that.
A Sabbath is a precious gift from God that helps renew, refresh and restore our personal lives. It stops the crazy cycle of busyness we are all prone to keep. Enjoy a day free from work where we can rest, worship, play, and do the things we love to do. God had a great idea when he planned a Sabbath! So, how can you make room for the rest of summer? What fun do you need to plan? How could the discipline of a Sabbath rejuvenate your life? Why not try? Take a Mid-Summer Check up. May the rest of your summer be the best ever!
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Out of Control!
When was the last time you felt a tad bit out of control? Running behind for an appointment only to find traffic at a stand still? Watching your first child go off to college? Experiencing an earthquake? Going through depression? Losing a job? You get the idea. Something that takes place in our lives that leaves us unable to do the things we normally do to maintain control of a situation.
Being in control is something we value. It's nice to know that we can manage every situation that comes our way. It's when we're out of control that freaks us out. We don't know what to do when the situation gets beyond us. It can be an earthshaking situation, like an earthquake. But feeling out of control can take place simply on a bad day at work...when nothing goes the way you want it to. No one likes being out of control.
Sometimes, people medicate, drink, or do other things excessively to sooth the feeling of being out of control. That certainly doesn't work for the long haul, although people may say they feel better for the moment. I have learned that sometimes God allows periods of feeling out of control to remind me that he IS in control. It forces me to realize that I'm not in charge of the universe and things don't always go my way. As I pour through Scriptures for God's promises, my mind is filled with the reality of God's control over EVERYTHING. What does that mean for me? Instead of being anxious, fearful or worried, I start seeing the value of trusting God in EVERYTHING.
God is in the here and now. He is present. Once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you're experiencing difficulties beyond your control, you will be able to say "God knows all about this and is in control." It's when we don't find our solace in God, that we seek it elsewhere. The more we run to God in our weakness, the more we see over and over, that He is indeed, in control and has the whole situation in His hands.
Remember the song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands?" Well, God does. Oswald Chambers writes "At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not. He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Rest in perfect confidence in Him." (My Utmost for His Highest) Earthshaking events will continue to happen in our lives; we have no control over that. But, thanks be to God! He is in control!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Being in control is something we value. It's nice to know that we can manage every situation that comes our way. It's when we're out of control that freaks us out. We don't know what to do when the situation gets beyond us. It can be an earthshaking situation, like an earthquake. But feeling out of control can take place simply on a bad day at work...when nothing goes the way you want it to. No one likes being out of control.
Sometimes, people medicate, drink, or do other things excessively to sooth the feeling of being out of control. That certainly doesn't work for the long haul, although people may say they feel better for the moment. I have learned that sometimes God allows periods of feeling out of control to remind me that he IS in control. It forces me to realize that I'm not in charge of the universe and things don't always go my way. As I pour through Scriptures for God's promises, my mind is filled with the reality of God's control over EVERYTHING. What does that mean for me? Instead of being anxious, fearful or worried, I start seeing the value of trusting God in EVERYTHING.
God is in the here and now. He is present. Once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you're experiencing difficulties beyond your control, you will be able to say "God knows all about this and is in control." It's when we don't find our solace in God, that we seek it elsewhere. The more we run to God in our weakness, the more we see over and over, that He is indeed, in control and has the whole situation in His hands.
Remember the song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands?" Well, God does. Oswald Chambers writes "At times God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural father, but He is not. He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Rest in perfect confidence in Him." (My Utmost for His Highest) Earthshaking events will continue to happen in our lives; we have no control over that. But, thanks be to God! He is in control!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Man-ticipation in Cleveland!
Man-ticipation. A new word coined by my husband, Ben, after our one day walking tour around Cleveland, Ohio recently. What does one do when given a day in Cleveland? We were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful old buildings, ornate statutes and new hipster parts of downtown. Of course, being a sports fan, I was also intrigued by the stately stadiums on the waterfront for the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers and Browns.
With a quick walk through the Browns gift shop, we were greeted by a new shipment of orange and brown shirts with a prominent number 2 and the name "Manziel" on the back. Everywhere I turned, albeit, baby T-shirts, hats or adult tees...all had the name "Manziel" displayed. Several in the gift shop lamented their stressful struggle to keep up with Manziel T-Shirt orders. Later, in a quick walk downtown to the East 4th Street shops, my eyes were driven to another sports store with a new set of shirts...."Return of the King" and "Forgiven:The King Comes Home." LeBron James is coming home! Cleveland is a buzz! They are counting on Johnny Manziel and LeBron James to bring life to their city and teams. The anticipation was literally felt and seen throughout the city! I told my husband "These guys haven't even gotten here yet, and they are seen as sports saviors..."
It's funny, how we can put so much hope in people. People to help our teams win. People to make us feel better about ourselves. People who affirm us. People who can help us meet other people. People who help us succeed. People who make us look good. People that win. Man-ticipation. I'm all for hoping that LeBron and Manziel succeed. (I was born here.) My day in Cleveland was a reminder to me of how easy it is to place our hope in people. People don't always come through for us. People make mistakes. People don't always have the best intentions. People aren't perfect. People sometimes lose.
There appears to be a delicate balance. We are called by God to know and be known by other people. He did not put us on this planet to be alone. We are called to be in community, work, associate, live and love other people. However, we can not place our hope entirely in people People will let us down. People are people. God is God. God reminds us throughout Scriptures to place our hope in Him. To trust Him, not man. How about you today? Are you counting on people to come through for you rather than God?
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people." Psalm 118:8
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
With a quick walk through the Browns gift shop, we were greeted by a new shipment of orange and brown shirts with a prominent number 2 and the name "Manziel" on the back. Everywhere I turned, albeit, baby T-shirts, hats or adult tees...all had the name "Manziel" displayed. Several in the gift shop lamented their stressful struggle to keep up with Manziel T-Shirt orders. Later, in a quick walk downtown to the East 4th Street shops, my eyes were driven to another sports store with a new set of shirts...."Return of the King" and "Forgiven:The King Comes Home." LeBron James is coming home! Cleveland is a buzz! They are counting on Johnny Manziel and LeBron James to bring life to their city and teams. The anticipation was literally felt and seen throughout the city! I told my husband "These guys haven't even gotten here yet, and they are seen as sports saviors..."
It's funny, how we can put so much hope in people. People to help our teams win. People to make us feel better about ourselves. People who affirm us. People who can help us meet other people. People who help us succeed. People who make us look good. People that win. Man-ticipation. I'm all for hoping that LeBron and Manziel succeed. (I was born here.) My day in Cleveland was a reminder to me of how easy it is to place our hope in people. People don't always come through for us. People make mistakes. People don't always have the best intentions. People aren't perfect. People sometimes lose.
There appears to be a delicate balance. We are called by God to know and be known by other people. He did not put us on this planet to be alone. We are called to be in community, work, associate, live and love other people. However, we can not place our hope entirely in people People will let us down. People are people. God is God. God reminds us throughout Scriptures to place our hope in Him. To trust Him, not man. How about you today? Are you counting on people to come through for you rather than God?
"It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people." Psalm 118:8
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Puppy Love!
I didn't realize that my future would consist of massive sleep deprivation. I had no clue that the sorrowful whines for freedom from jail cell (doggie crate) could go on and on. I forgot the unforgettable smell of puppy breath. That a squeaky toy could make a whole lot of noise. That whoever invented the doggie door is my hero. That my new wake-up time is now officially in the 4 o'clock range. That is life with a new pup. Zoe has arrived!
We didn't know we'd get a pup so fast. It was just two weeks ago that we woke up to what would go down as a very bad, horrible, no good day. Our precious thirteen year old English Springer, Gracie Lou, could not get up on her own. As the hours passed by, my husband and I knew that today was the day we would say goodbye.
I had dreaded this day ever since we received the news 7 months earlier that she had liver cancer. It was then I began to savor the days like never before. Every moment with her mattered. I told her over and over "I love you." We made her scrambled eggs on Saturdays. We gave extra Scooby Snacks, cause hey, whose watching weight? But as the months went on, we saw her slowly decline. Through it all, she held her head high, showered us with love and continued her daily chores. Even the day before she died, she managed to half-way bring in the Sunday paper. The day of her death, my husband decided to make her a big plate of scrambled eggs. He brought it to her on a people plate as she lay on the deck, barely able to move. We knew things were bad when she sniffed them and turned away.
The last two weeks have been a whirl wind. We had been looking for pups never thinking we'd fine one so soon. A relative of Gracie! We were happy to meet Zoe, full of energy and new life. In fact, in Greek, the word Zoe actually means "life." This last year has been filled with lots of loss for the Abbotts. But in the midst of death, God has brought us new life- Zoe!
Perhaps, we love dogs so much because they give us a huge dose of unconditional love. They're loyal. They take you just as you are. They are happy to just be with you. They never hold a grudge. They forgive you. They protect you. They pick you up when you are down. They know what's best for you. When you're having a bad day, they are silent, sit close beside you and just nuzzle up against you. Perhaps God gives us pets to remind us of His love. He too is just delighted to be with you. God adores you. He longs to help you. Encourage you. Listen to you. Hang with you. Yes, that's God. Nothing will every change how much He loves you! Nothing! And..... if you have a pet at home, make those moments count. We won't have them forever.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
We didn't know we'd get a pup so fast. It was just two weeks ago that we woke up to what would go down as a very bad, horrible, no good day. Our precious thirteen year old English Springer, Gracie Lou, could not get up on her own. As the hours passed by, my husband and I knew that today was the day we would say goodbye.
I had dreaded this day ever since we received the news 7 months earlier that she had liver cancer. It was then I began to savor the days like never before. Every moment with her mattered. I told her over and over "I love you." We made her scrambled eggs on Saturdays. We gave extra Scooby Snacks, cause hey, whose watching weight? But as the months went on, we saw her slowly decline. Through it all, she held her head high, showered us with love and continued her daily chores. Even the day before she died, she managed to half-way bring in the Sunday paper. The day of her death, my husband decided to make her a big plate of scrambled eggs. He brought it to her on a people plate as she lay on the deck, barely able to move. We knew things were bad when she sniffed them and turned away.
The last two weeks have been a whirl wind. We had been looking for pups never thinking we'd fine one so soon. A relative of Gracie! We were happy to meet Zoe, full of energy and new life. In fact, in Greek, the word Zoe actually means "life." This last year has been filled with lots of loss for the Abbotts. But in the midst of death, God has brought us new life- Zoe!
Perhaps, we love dogs so much because they give us a huge dose of unconditional love. They're loyal. They take you just as you are. They are happy to just be with you. They never hold a grudge. They forgive you. They protect you. They pick you up when you are down. They know what's best for you. When you're having a bad day, they are silent, sit close beside you and just nuzzle up against you. Perhaps God gives us pets to remind us of His love. He too is just delighted to be with you. God adores you. He longs to help you. Encourage you. Listen to you. Hang with you. Yes, that's God. Nothing will every change how much He loves you! Nothing! And..... if you have a pet at home, make those moments count. We won't have them forever.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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