Monday, September 15, 2014

Cracks in the Windshield

It appears to be the year for new windshields.  I must have a propensity for driving behind big trucks with stones that aim right for my Toyota.  It happened for the second time this year.  Safe Flight is now a favorite in my phone.  This last time, it was a pretty small crack, so we hoped the repair would be sufficient.  It didn't take long to see  the crack force itself further up my windshield.  As I write, Mr. Safe Flight is working hard to replace my windshield in my driveway.

Cracks appear everywhere.  Cracks in the sidewalk.  Cracks in a glass. Cracks in the ceiling. Cracks usually aren't a good thing.  Sometimes, we even have cracks in our heart.  A crack in the heart may hardly even be noticeable to most, but it's just like that small crack in the windshield.  It grows and grows and grows larger as time goes on...until it finally needs to be repaired.

How do cracks come into our life?  Sometimes, it's like the tiniest little rock that comes out of nowhere into our windshield.  We don't see it, feel it, or know it even happened.  Other times, it's more noticeable. The stone that you see coming and boom...the windshield shatters.  For our hearts, that might be a difficult season that was devestating.  A loss of some kind.  A painful relationship that seemingly has no resolve.  We tend to want to hide these cracks once we recognize they are bothersome.  We make light of them. Try to place them out of our mind.  Tell ourselves to get over it. Yet, somehow, they keep popping back to the surface of our mind...tempting us to either stuff or admit that something is wrong.

Sometimes, the last One we attempt to call upon is the one who can really fix our cracks.  It didn't take long to get Safe Flight on the phone, but it's just a bother to have to set it all up.  What about the cracks of our heart?  Honestly, when it comes to me, I often would rather put off dealing with my stuff...the cracks that rise up and remind me and others that I'm far from perfect.  It's easier to stuff our stuff, right?

God is all about putting back together pieces of our heart that are broken.  He created our hearts and knows them better than we know them ourselves.  He is THE healer.  He is the great engineer of the soul. He loves when we come to Him, admitting our brokenness.  He is a gentleman, who waits for us to seek Him.  He even says so in the Bible..."You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.." declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

As you start this day, spend some quiet time opening yourself up to God and the day before you. Consider the cracks that might be penetrating your heart.  Are you willing to deal with them?  Do you really want to be healed?  Open your heart and invite God to begin the process.  Don't keep watching the crack grow..... remember, it just keeps getting bigger.

"Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.  It is this fragile thread that binds us together." Brian G. Dyson

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Mountain Bike Adventures

My husband, Ben, has been mountain biking for years and loves the thrill of riding through fields, around tight curves, up steep rocky hills and going down those same hills.  He's good.  Very good.  Me?  Just a beginner.  Just recently, we bought a new mountain bike for me that springs like my Springer Spaniel and has wheels as big as a tractor.  Not really; but feels like it.

So, this weekend, we went out on our 2nd mountain bike expedition together.  Ben was teaching me tricks of the trade as we rode.  When to shift gears. How to go down steep hills.  Best way to ride the rocks. How to balance. It was pretty fun.  As a beginner, I'm really enjoying the smooth, no hills and frills paths that just wind their way through the park.  Pretty easy.  Not as dangerous.  Not much effort to exert here.  I know in time, I'll enjoy the more exciting hills, but not yet.

As I was biking today, it occurred to me that mountain biking is a lot like the path of our own personal lives.  There are times where it seems like life couldn't be better.  Smooth. Everything (job, relationships, family, finances, social life, etc.) is going just amazingly well.  I love those times!  I want to bottle them up and hope life stays so nice.

But, I've been alive long enough to know that life isn't always so smooth and carefree.  The tough, steep, rocky days DO come and we're never quite ready for them.  Death of a loved one. Job change. Relational strife. Whatever it is, rocky days are never welcomed.  When I started up one of those hills today, I realized I didn't have my bike in the right gear and couldn't make it.  I had to get off and walk the rest of the way.  Rocky paths can really trip us up.  We have to slow down, stop, re-evaluate, make changes to the path we're on.  Sometimes, we have to turn around and go back.  Start over. That's tough too.

Today, my husband, Ben was quick to check on me the entire trip.  He called out ahead and told me what to look for.  He told me how to maneuver my bike at certain points.  He knows bike secrets. He's pretty good at this.  Even when my bike had a technical difficulty, he was able to help bring it back to working order and carry on with our ride.

What a reminder today of our need for God!  He delights in bringing blessings and joys along life's path. God is a present and personal God who longs to walk with us through the ups and downs of life. When we're fearful for what's next, He's there to give peace and help.  Eventually, we will ALL have those rocky times of life. God's presence during these life circumstances bring hope and encouragement.

As you start this day, would you consider your relationship with God? Would you like to grow closer to God?  If so, tell Him!  Where do you need guidance?  Help with the rocky circumstances that come your way?  Wisdom for which path to take? God really does want to help you.  Just ask.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Psalm 119:105

"You make know to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.