Spurs: Quietly Going About Their Business

So, have you paid attention to what our San Antonio Spurs are doing lately? Let's just say, we should savor these exciting days, Spurs fans. They are indeed special. The big three- Tim, Tony and Manu are playing fantastic. Kawhi Leonard was just selected for the NBA- All-Star Game. Boban-Mania is at an all-time high. Boris Diaw is enjoying a new expresso machine in his locker room and sharing well. And Jonathan Simmons continues to do Jonathan Simmons-type things. Pop is resting Tim Duncan again because he's 57 years old in basketball years. Oh, and I can't forget, the Spurs have won 32 straight at home.

As you know, our Spurs really enjoy staying under the radar. Each morning, I do a quick ESPN check for the day. You have to look long and hard to find headlines on the Spurs. I find that astounding, but normal. In fact, a few days ago, I caught a segment of the Dan Patrick Sports Show on the way to work. I quote Patrick: "The San Antonio Spurs are quietly going about their business." I chuckled. Now isn't that just a perfect statement? Quietly going about their business. The Spurs don't care if they didn't make the ESPN headlines. The Spur players don't care if they don't get the great individual stats others do. The Spurs players aren't splashy OR flashy. The Spurs have respect for other teams and players. The Spurs team look ahead to the next team, not just the big game. (aka, tonight) Every one of these Spurs players are unique, yet together, they can achieve so much more! TEAM basketball!

Have you considered how you go about doing your business? Are you consumed with seeking others' attention and/or the limelight? Do you find yourself in circles quick to speak, but slow to listen? Are you able to control your tongue and speak respectfully of others? Do you seek out those who are new on the team and help them grow? Are you thrilled when others excel beyond you? Do you do what you say you will do? When was the last time you put someone down in front of someone else? Would others describe you as an outstanding team player?

I love this quote from Mother Teresa: "These are the few ways we can practice humility: To speak as little as possible of one's self. To mind one's own business. Not to want to manage other people's affairs. To avoid curiosity. To accept contradictions and correction cheerful. To pass over the mistakes of others. To accept insults and injuries. To accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. To be kind and gentle even under provocation. Never to stand on one's dignity. To choose always the hardest." Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living

OK… honestly, I can't come close to living these beautiful aspirations without God at my side. God embodies humility! I need God to help me live this kind of beautiful life! I am way too selfish and self-centered without God. So, this week, I am going to pick TWO of the sentences above that I need to grow in. I'm not telling you what they are, but trust me, I need help! I challenge you to PICK TWO that you can grow in. Pray about these and ask God to help you practice humility in these areas. Spurs fans, how can YOU quietly go about your business this week? #justlikethespurs #gospursgo #beatgoldenstatewarriors #quietlygoingaboutyourbusiness

"And to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you…" 1 Thessalonians 4:11

 

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

Challenges from Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today, we honor and remember the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us will go about our normally scheduled routine. Some of us have the day off. All of us will find our mailboxes empty. We can easily go about the day’s activities without stopping, considering, and thanking God for this great man.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is remembered most for his famous “I Have A Dream speech as part of the March on Washington. The public speech took place on August 28, 1963, in which he calls for an end to racism in the United States. The speech was delivered to approximately 250,000 people who came to Washington DC to march for civil rights. It was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement!

 

One thing I learned about Dr. King is that he almost didn’t give the “I Have a Dream” part of the “I Have A Dream” speech. Singer Mahalia Jackson urged Dr. King to “Tell them about the dream, Martin!” In this part of the speech, which most excited the listeners and now has become famous, King described his dreams of freedom and equality coming out of a land of slavery and hatred.

 

Let’s pay tribute today to this great man who fought for equality even when all odds were against him. Let’s consider several character traits that embodied MLK:

1. Persistence: Nothing stopped him from achieving what he wanted to achieve. Even from the confines of the Birmingham Jail, he did not stop fighting for what he believed in. Are you and I so passionate about our cause that we won’t let the trials and challenges of our work affect us?

2. Listened to others- Just think, it was Mahalia Jackson that spoke into MLK and encouraged him to change up his speech!  Are you and I willing to listen to those around us? Do we believe that others may actually help our cause, if we humbly listen?

 

3. Patience- There wasn’t just one speech that put an end to segregation in the US. MLK worked tirelessly, knowing full well that things wouldn’t change overnight. Are you and I willing to take the time, energy and hard work to fulfill our dreams?

4. Bravery- How much courage would it take to stand up before thousands? MLK had a dream and wanted to see it through. Are you and I filled with courage and faith to believe what feels impossible?

 

As you ponder just a few of the beautiful qualities of Martin Luther King, Jr, would it not be appropriate to consider how God wants to mold and shape us as a leader? Let’s not let a day like today go by, without considering how this man lived and how we live. 

 

As you start this day, read thoughtfully these quotes, all attributed to Martin Luther King, Jr.  How do you think God wants to challenge you today?

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

 

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

 

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

 

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

 

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

 

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

Take Time!

This year has started off with a bang in the Abbott home! Super busy days. Lots of appointments. Early morning alarms. Work travel for my husband. Routines are back and we are in full gear for the new year! I don't know about you, but last week was one of those weeks where it was hard to stop and smell any roses, even the pretty pink ones at HEB.

 

Do you remember the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible? In Luke 10:38-42, the story begins with two ladies who are about to have a full orb kitchen squabble. Jesus and his disciples were making their way to Mary and Martha's door. Martha opened the door and let him in. Mary, the sister, was quick to go to Jesus and sit at his feet, listening to what He had to say. So, Martha was a bit like Martha Stewart…in the kitchen making fancy recipes all the while peeking out into the living room, noticing Mary "just sitting there." Grrrrrr. 

 

Yeah, I think Martha would have been super ticked. Here she was doing all the work while Mary just sat there at Jesus' feet! Finally, she blew! She asked Jesus "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" If I were peeking through a window watching this unfold, I might initially applaud Martha's indignation. Mary was slacking. Not helping. More interested in Jesus and less in helping out. It wasn't fair! Then, of all things, Jesus actually praises Mary for what she's doing. He said "Martha, Martha…." It's always scary when your name is said twice by someone of importance! "You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." If I were Martha, I'd hide in the food pantry and shut the door. Enough said.

 

As we start the new year running, we are remiss if we don't take time to be with Jesus regularly. Time spent in God's Word, the Bible. Time spent praying. Time spent worshiping. Time spent listening. Just like Mary. When I start my day like this, things just go so much better. In fact, I find that I have more time! When I sit at Jesus' feet, I am reminded of how deeply and dearly I'm loved. I'm overwhelmed by His care and concern, His wisdom, His perspective, His comfort and encouragement as I spend time with Him.

 

What would it look like if you and I believed that God deeply likes and enjoys us? What if we believed that no matter what we have said or done in our past that God loves us perfectly? What if we never had to prove anything again? Sometimes, we get so busy trying to prove ourselves, that we, like Martha just fritter away with worry, anxiety, and exhaustion. 

 

Come on. Let's make this a great 2016. Work hard. Play hard. Take time to be with the One who loves you like crazy. Go ahead...take time. You won't be sorry.

 

"Tenderness awakens within the security of knowing we are thoroughly and sincerely liked by someone. The mere presence of that special someone brings an inward sigh of relief and a strong sense of feeling safe." Brennan Manning

 

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love. He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

 

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

Hopes and Prayers for 2016

I've really enjoyed the last few weeks of the holidays. The wonder of Christmas and all that brings. The non-scheduled time for reading, baking and hanging out with friends and family. Fewer emails. Not so many deadlines. The slower pace has made me think a lot about my own life and hopes for the new year. My attitude. My character. My work. My relationships.   I thought about this question: Who would I like to be on December 31, 2016? Yes, that's right. Next year. What kind of person do I hope to become by next year at this time? What character traits do I need to strengthen? What attitudes do I need to work on? The prayer below summarizes some of my hopes of who I would like to become. I love setting goals, but need God's help in seeing them happen. So, I pray for these things, not just today, but throughout the year. I work to become a different person as well. So, here goes:   Lord, may I not be so demanding of my own rights. Help me freely let others go first in a line, cut in front of me on a freeway and just have the joy of letting others be first. Help me practice giving honor and preference to others. Crunch the "me-first" attitude that still exists in me.   Lord, without love, I am nothing. Let me remember to daily clothe myself with your compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Help me love others well. May I follow your example found in the Gospels of loving well.    Lord, may I enter this New Year with less worry and angst about things I can't change or have no control over. Help me to pray more and worry less about all things. Allow Philippians 4:6-7 to become a reality in my life.   Lord, may I be more inclined to listen first and talk second with others. Let me be more interested in hearing from someone else, rather than having to share my opinion.   Lord, may I learn to live more by the rhythms of your peace and less by the up and down circumstances that life has to offer. May peace reign in my heart, no matter what happens in my life or the world around me.   Lord, during this year, there will be times when others might hurt, disappoint, and overlook me. May this remind me of my great need for You and that you will never let me down.   Lord, even though I love you, I often find myself reaching out to other things and people to fill the void that you alone can fill. May I apprehend more and more the enough-ness of God and live in your fullness each day.   Lord, I am tempted to judge others in silly ways that people judge others these days. Putting others down to lift ourselves up is seen as "normal."  I can be just as guilty. Help me look for ways to encourage, pray and support those in my life.   Lord, May I keep my focus much more on what matters in life, than those things that don't matter "squat."  So little time; too many distractions. Keep me focused! Here are a few of my own prayers that I have tucked into my 2016 prayer journal. How about you? Who do you want to be by the end of December, 2016? Prayer changes things. Prayer changes you. Prayer changes me.  Happy New Year!   "Is anyone crying for help? God is listening ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, He'll help you catch your breath." Psalm 34:17-18 MSG   Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.