Every Raindrop; A Tear

Could it be that all the rain that has fallen this week over our country represents the tears falling for the tragedy in South Carolina? Our country has wept a billion tears this last week. Every raindrop, a tear. Every tear, a raindrop. Nine innocent people coming together to pray, now dead. Family members, now grieving those dead. Charleston grieving. South Carolina grieving. A country grieving. Our God grieving.

It seems there are no answers, only questions. Of course, we ask those typical "why" questions. "Why God? Where were you, God? Did you not care, God? Why didn't you stop it from happening, God?" Although, those are questions that many might ponder, perhaps we might want to ask..."How can good come from such horrific evil? How can God be glorified through tragedy?"

Let's start with Governor Nikki Haley. She shared several good things coming from this senseless act. In her speech, she stated "We're seeing love, we're seeing prayers, we're seeing support and we're seeing humility. And for that, I want to tell you I am thankful....It's a very, very sad day in South Carolina, but it is a day that we will get through, it is a day that we will remember and it is a day that will allow us to get stronger."

Meet Debbie, a North Carolina florist. She was driving to work on Thursday morning after the shootings and noticed a black car, similar to the one described on the news. Debbie admitted to getting nervous. She didn't see herself as a brave person. But, she started talking to the Lord about it. She pulled close to the vehicle and saw a young man with a bowl haircut. She called her boss, who called the authorities. She was able to catch up with the car and get this tag number.  The suspect was soon caught.

Debbie doesn't see herself as a hero. She simply states "God just used me. If we are a willing vessel, He can use us, but we've got to open up our hearts and minds. I don't know why he chose me....but he's got to be glorified in all- in everything and He's going to get the glory one way or the other...and I hope He's pleased with me more than anyone else."

Finally, consider Emanuel AME Church. At a time where racial tension has polarized many communities with even more hatred, God is using the church and the Charleston community to love. To forgive. To pray. To unite.

Please notice the responses of Governor Nikki, Debbie and the church. There is a way to respond to hate crimes. There is a way to be used by God. It involves an active and vital relationship with the God of this universe. God delights in us remembering good things amidst the bad as the Governor did. God delights in using weak people to do courageous acts like Debbie, the florist. God delights in us when we respond to hatred with love, like the church. Go and do likewise.

"My prayer is that we will all fix our eyes on things eternal, and hold to God's unchanging hand. We have become blinded by hatred... Blinded by politics...Blinded by our economy... Blinded by jealousy...Blinded by rage... Blinded by social status...and blinded by greed." Marcus Stanley

Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Why Wait?

Imagine yourself in a world of chocolate....perhaps a place similar to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. That's where my dog, Zoe, found herself this week. We were surrounded by delicious, tempting doggie snacks and numerous doggie toys strewn out over the large training room. It was indeed doggie heaven!

Zoe, our English Springer puppy, is in doggie school. Zoe is currently learning how to be a therapy dog. Zoe hopes to one day be able to work with wounded warriors or residents in a nursing home. To prepare for her doggie day job, we practice working around children, wheelchairs, obstacle courses, and other surprises. So, this week, we were working on "leave it." Could Zoe walk through this obstacle course, without being tempted to grab doggie treats?

Much to my embarrassment, Zoe choose what was expedient. The temptations were just too close and too easy. She knew she would get a treat for obeying me, but somehow, it was much easier to go for the floor prizes rather than wait on the treats that would come from me. Waiting is incredibly difficult, even for a dog.

Because we live in an instant society, we're not used to waiting for anything. We want what we want and we want it now. Instant answers. Instant friends. Instant raise. Instant funds. Instant education. Instant home. Instant pain relief. Instant healing. Instant weight loss. Instant recovery. Instant health. Instant internet response.

I've learned in my life that the discipline of waiting teaches me lessons that I can't learn any other way. God has used waiting to get my attention. God has also made me wait when I don't want to wait. How about you?  When we don't get what we want, our true colors begin to show. Sometimes, God uses waiting to redirect us to go a different way. God also uses waiting to teach us to trust Him as we wait. He also uses waiting to build in us perseverance and character. If only we would learn to wait on God!

Do you feel like waiting is a waste? Zoe certainly did. Thankfully, we as humans, can see things from a different perspective. Will we?  Waiting is hard. Waiting can be painful. Sometimes, you want to quit. But don't! Let your waiting become a good thing. A time to build character. A time to trust God. A time to pray. Wait, my friend. It's worth it!

"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14

Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Words Matter

Have you noticed how much negativity and criticism there is in our culture today? Our attacks toward one another come in the form of jokes, Facebook comments, blogs, conversations at work and twitter feed. We can label others, call them names and cut them down through our "innocent" jokes. We judge others ruthlessly. We gossip unknowingly. We point out others' weaknesses, while hiding our own. I often think these actions stem from our own insecurities.

Last year, in the NBA finals, you might have remembered "Cramp Gate," the night the air conditioning went off at the AT&T Center, here in San Antonio. LeBron James developed severe cramps. By the next day, people were having a hay day with the LeBron Cramp Gate jokes. I found myself tempted to join in on the chatter, but in processing this, I stopped myself. I refused to make fun of LeBron. LeBron is human just like you and I. LeBron has issues just like you and I. LeBron even makes mistakes just like you and I. Why does it behoove me to make fun of him?

Our words matter. How we treat people matter. It matters to God, to others and ourselves. Our appetite for judging others has caused us to be so unconcerned with the hearts of people. We forget we're dealing with real people.  We forget that others see our comments. We don't seem to care that others might be hurt by our words. In doing so, we lack respect for our fellow human beings.

I will be the first to admit that my speech is not always gracious. Just ask my husband! I'm reminded in the book of James, the half-brother of Jesus who wrote "The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire." (James 3:5) But my words come from my heart way before they make their way out of my mouth! Perhaps, that's why the Bible emphasizes so much holding the tongue before speaking!

Quit judging other people. Stop condemning others with your words. Be done with gossip. Refuse to cut down anyone. Second, consider the types of things that come out of your mouth: Is it edifying to others? Will others be hurt by my words? Am I lifting up or tearing down others? Is this helpful for all? Be a change agent with your words. 

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:5-6)

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)

Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Floating Houses; Sinking Hearts

The floods here in Texas have ripped apart homes, cars, bridges and our human hearts. My heart seems to quietly sink deeper and deeper as I read one more dismal article about those missing in the rivers. Today, as I read the front page of the Sunday San Antonio Express-News, I had to lay down the paper and weep for a moment. There, was a picture of the Blanco River, with little red numbers pointing out where the tragic events took place. It pinpointed the red house occupied by nine people from Corpus Christi, how far the river carried the house and where the house slammed into the bridge and tore apart. It was hard not to wonder what it might have been like to be floating down the river, calling out for help, as the waters raged. Gut wrenching!

Many human beings resist and reject God because of the affliction and suffering they see in our world today. How could God allow bad things to happen to good people? They can't imagine how a good God could allow such misery, pain and anguish. At the same time, I find that many people have drawn closer to God through affliction and suffering. Troubled times awaken them to their need.  A need for God. They begin to understand that they're not in control as they once thought they were.
If we are walking with God over time, and something bad happens, we are more than likely to turn to God when the bad happens. Case in point... I understand that the Corpus Christi families staying in the Wimberly house gathered in a circle to pray during their crises. Somehow, I have a feeling, they sensed God being very present with them, even in those dire moments. 

Simone Weil writes that suffering makes God "appear to be absent." She is totally right. That's what it feels like. But, then, I read scripture and remember that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) This brings great comfort! How does this tragedy wrestle with your thinking? 

When these things happen in life that are bigger than us, we MUST get God's perspective. We can't let a bad circumstance make our conclusion about whether God is good or evil. God's Word is true and can be trusted. Always. It won't take you long in life to realize that there is suffering all around us. The Bible does not promise that all suffering will have a happy ending. But, it does show how people of faith walked with God through suffering and experienced God's presence in the worst of times.

Now is the time to nurture your relationship with God. If you don't have one, give God a try. He is just waiting to be with you and can handle your questions, your anger and your pain. Just try Him. He loves you so much. What keeps you from God? And for those hurting in Texas? Pray. Pray for those by name and those that are nameless who are suffering today. Pray for those with broken hearts. Serve. Donate. Care. We can be the hands and feet of God to bring hope and healing to a sinking heart. 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2

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