I’m tempted to get in a hurry, just because I can. There’s just so much to do. Get the Christmas tree. Decorate the house. Make Christmas cutout cookies. Shop and wrap gifts. Send Christmas cards. Plan dinner parties. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. When I remember it, it will cause a bit more stress.
It’s that time of the year when we feel the pulse of each day increase in rapidity. Yet, no one is there at the end of the day checking our blood pressure. This Christmas Pace is just what we do. Slowing down and appreciating the moments isn’t on the “schedule.” Maybe it should be?
Eugene Peterson was a scholar, theologian and author of “The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.” He was such a wise man and had a way with words. He wrote “Exhaustion is not a sign of success. Hurry is a form of violence practiced on time.” Have you noticed how we give into that violence so often? We can place our significance and identity in our usefulness. December can be a cycle of this type of violence. It’s hard to get off the crazy cycle unless we’re a bit more intentional.
Consider these ideas as you prepare for the holidays:
1.Pray about the Holidays. (Lord, what do I need to say no to and what areas of self-care are important for me to keep front and center? Lord, how can my relationship with You flourish during this season?)
2.Pay attention to the warning signs. (Getting easily irritated, loss of focus, exhausted, Scrooge-like attitude, etc)
3.Set some Christmas Self-Care Goals. (What needs to happen this month to ensure you keep the Christmas Spirit?)
4.Stay mindful of your well-being. (Notice your daily self-management and personal care. Note when you struggle and when you’re at peace. )
5.Stay ahead. (What preparations can you do ahead of time? How can planning ahead give you a joyful and peaceful day?)
6. Share Christmas compassion with those that are hurting. (There are people all around us who are hurting, experienced tragedy beyond words, lonely or less fortunate.Your compassion goes a long way.)
When you slow down, it’s a bit easier to savor the true gifts of the Christmas season. May the real joy of this season, the gift of Jesus, be a part of this beautiful month of December.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, November 26, 2018
Monday, November 19, 2018
Crumbs on the Counter
My friend, Lori, lives near the fires in Paradise, California. Her young son’s best friend and mom barely escaped from the Campfire. Here is the mom’s story:
“So we tallied up the hours spent in the cement lot and it was over 6. Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be leading my ill son and a puppy on foot to evacuate a fire. Yes, on foot! We left Magalia within 2 minutes of the evacuation call. But Paradise had just been hit. Police told us over a loudspeaker to abandon cars and head south. Luckily, we were able to walk to a parking lot, and were soon to get down and cover with anything we had. They had warned us that if a chopper dumped water onto us that we had to brace for impact. They yelled to us to stay down, it was going to get hot. The wind blasted around us with debris, embers, ash. People screamed. People prayed. I think someone was singing. Then the explosions went off. All around us was on fire, with no way out. I quietly made my peace. My son Anthony, who said he was so grateful that his little brother Domnic wasn’t there. We said the Lord’s Prayer together, holding hands and just waiting it out. And then, miraculously, it eventually passed (after hours) enough for us to get up. Anthony helped people in wheel chairs and took water cups to people with dogs. Reminded me to drink water. My eleven-year old hero. And then, finally, finally, over 6 hours later, we were allowed to drive through the Apocalypse that was Paradise, and reunite with Dominic. Thank you God. Sadly, we lost the house. We are thanking God for what we kept. Each other.” Dacia
As Lori was sharing with me this story, she told me about a personal ah-ha moment. She had asked her son to clean the crumbs off the counter earlier. Irritated, the crumbs were still on the counter later that evening. But, before she could complain to her son, she stopped herself: “I have a countertop. I have a house. I haven’t lost everything like so many people around me. Why am I upset about a few crumbs?” She told me on the phone “I’m trying to be thankful for the little things and stop grumbling.”
As you gather around your Thanksgiving table this week, there’s bound to be some thing that brings a bit of irritation your way. (Waiting at HEB, burning a dish, traffic jam, a relative that needs extra grace, or even an argument with your spouse.) Stop for a moment. What is this week all about? Gratitude. Being grateful for the gifts that God has given us. When you live a life of gratitude, grumbling dissipates.
Take note, even Dacia, the mom who escaped the fire, was able to be grateful! My friend, Lori, in the non-stop chaos in her town of Chico, has found things to be grateful for. This mindset will get them both through the difficult days ahead. So, no matter what is gong on in your life, you can choose gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Start your day by writing down 5 things your thankful for and then, at night, before your head hits the pillow, write down 5 more things that your grateful for from that day. Call that your gratitude journal. See how your perspective changes over time.” Nancy Abbott
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
“So we tallied up the hours spent in the cement lot and it was over 6. Never in a million years did I imagine that I would be leading my ill son and a puppy on foot to evacuate a fire. Yes, on foot! We left Magalia within 2 minutes of the evacuation call. But Paradise had just been hit. Police told us over a loudspeaker to abandon cars and head south. Luckily, we were able to walk to a parking lot, and were soon to get down and cover with anything we had. They had warned us that if a chopper dumped water onto us that we had to brace for impact. They yelled to us to stay down, it was going to get hot. The wind blasted around us with debris, embers, ash. People screamed. People prayed. I think someone was singing. Then the explosions went off. All around us was on fire, with no way out. I quietly made my peace. My son Anthony, who said he was so grateful that his little brother Domnic wasn’t there. We said the Lord’s Prayer together, holding hands and just waiting it out. And then, miraculously, it eventually passed (after hours) enough for us to get up. Anthony helped people in wheel chairs and took water cups to people with dogs. Reminded me to drink water. My eleven-year old hero. And then, finally, finally, over 6 hours later, we were allowed to drive through the Apocalypse that was Paradise, and reunite with Dominic. Thank you God. Sadly, we lost the house. We are thanking God for what we kept. Each other.” Dacia
As Lori was sharing with me this story, she told me about a personal ah-ha moment. She had asked her son to clean the crumbs off the counter earlier. Irritated, the crumbs were still on the counter later that evening. But, before she could complain to her son, she stopped herself: “I have a countertop. I have a house. I haven’t lost everything like so many people around me. Why am I upset about a few crumbs?” She told me on the phone “I’m trying to be thankful for the little things and stop grumbling.”
As you gather around your Thanksgiving table this week, there’s bound to be some thing that brings a bit of irritation your way. (Waiting at HEB, burning a dish, traffic jam, a relative that needs extra grace, or even an argument with your spouse.) Stop for a moment. What is this week all about? Gratitude. Being grateful for the gifts that God has given us. When you live a life of gratitude, grumbling dissipates.
Take note, even Dacia, the mom who escaped the fire, was able to be grateful! My friend, Lori, in the non-stop chaos in her town of Chico, has found things to be grateful for. This mindset will get them both through the difficult days ahead. So, no matter what is gong on in your life, you can choose gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving!
“Start your day by writing down 5 things your thankful for and then, at night, before your head hits the pillow, write down 5 more things that your grateful for from that day. Call that your gratitude journal. See how your perspective changes over time.” Nancy Abbott
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, November 12, 2018
A Way of Love
Zoe, our English Springer Spaniel, has been in training to be a therapy dog. My husband, being a bit pessimistic, thought Zoe would flunk out. As our training progressed, it was clear that Zoe had a very bad problem of greeting people by jumping.
This past Monday, Zoe passed her test! I called my husband who was out of town to tell him the good news. Well, she passed, but by the skin of her teeth! My trainer gave me the caveat “I want you to promise me that you’ll work with Zoe on….”
Zoe intensely loves people. She can’t wait to greet you and pour out love. She loves to cuddle up and gaze into your eyes as her tummy is being rubbed. Even with her bad habit, Zoe (and other doggies) can teach us so much about love.
In the bible, there was a dude named Onesiphorus, who really knew how to love well. I don’t know who his momma was, but she was quite creative in the name department. Onesiphorus wasn’t the most popular guy in the Bible as he’s only mentioned twice, but in 2 Timothy 1:16-17, Paul speaks of him from his prison cell: "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrive in Rome, he searched for me earnestly and found me.”
Onesiphorus was a personal friend of Paul’s and a huge blessing to him. His name actually means “bringing profit.” Onesiphorus stayed with Paul through thick and thin. He visited him in prison, which was dangerous in those days. He was determined to be a blessing to Paul.
There has been so much negativity in the world around us lately. Sometimes, I just want to cocoon myself from all the negative noise and suffering! But, God calls us to a different way of life. A way of love…..like Onesiphorus! You and I can bring profit to others, with God’s grace!
As you prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, whom can you extend kindness to? Who might need a card in the mail or a gift card “just because?” Are you determined to be a blessing to others? Do you withhold love from some and give freely to others?
We don’t need to have our act together to live like this. But, what we do need is a whole lot of God and way less of us. People are hurting all around us. Let’s be a palpable taste of God’s heart today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
This past Monday, Zoe passed her test! I called my husband who was out of town to tell him the good news. Well, she passed, but by the skin of her teeth! My trainer gave me the caveat “I want you to promise me that you’ll work with Zoe on….”
Zoe intensely loves people. She can’t wait to greet you and pour out love. She loves to cuddle up and gaze into your eyes as her tummy is being rubbed. Even with her bad habit, Zoe (and other doggies) can teach us so much about love.
In the bible, there was a dude named Onesiphorus, who really knew how to love well. I don’t know who his momma was, but she was quite creative in the name department. Onesiphorus wasn’t the most popular guy in the Bible as he’s only mentioned twice, but in 2 Timothy 1:16-17, Paul speaks of him from his prison cell: "May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrive in Rome, he searched for me earnestly and found me.”
Onesiphorus was a personal friend of Paul’s and a huge blessing to him. His name actually means “bringing profit.” Onesiphorus stayed with Paul through thick and thin. He visited him in prison, which was dangerous in those days. He was determined to be a blessing to Paul.
There has been so much negativity in the world around us lately. Sometimes, I just want to cocoon myself from all the negative noise and suffering! But, God calls us to a different way of life. A way of love…..like Onesiphorus! You and I can bring profit to others, with God’s grace!
As you prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, whom can you extend kindness to? Who might need a card in the mail or a gift card “just because?” Are you determined to be a blessing to others? Do you withhold love from some and give freely to others?
We don’t need to have our act together to live like this. But, what we do need is a whole lot of God and way less of us. People are hurting all around us. Let’s be a palpable taste of God’s heart today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
Monday, November 5, 2018
Daylight Disarray
Dayight savings time goofs me up every time. Even after enjoying an extra hour of sleep, I find myself in a bit of disarray. Even our dog is messed up...."Where’s my food? Why haven’t we left for our walk yet? Why isn’t it time for bed?" It’s just a few days of disarray for all in our house.
I need a bit of encouragement to start my week. Maybe you do too! So, cheers to giving our disarray to God…
Starting the week tired? Lord, in those moments where I’m dragging, please lift me up and give me rest. Help me learn from you the rhythms of life. You created time and have given me 24 hours each day. Please help me use it well with the strength that you can provide. Lord, help me find moments to relax, and not feel guilty doing so. Help my soul find rest in You. (Psalm 62:1)
Feeling overwhelmed? Lord, I pray for your peace today. Break through my feelings of stress, anxiety and worry that have crept in my mind. You remind me that I don’t need to be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to you. (Philippians 4:6-7) Today, Lord, I give you my stressors. Please allow me to experience the joy of allowing you to carry them. Give me insight in how to manage my busy day, living in your abundance.
Upcoming meetings? Lord, sometimes, I go crazy over the amount of meetings I have! Yet, help me, this week, to look at every appointment-every person, as someone created in your image who deserves my whole self, my full attention and my best self. Help me treat all people with love and honor. Help me remember that you delight in giving me wisdom, discernment, and guidance I need in every meeting I have.
Heavy heart? It’s hard to tuck away the stuff I carry into my work-week, Lord. Whether it’s a ailing parent or a sick child, a fear about the future or a fractured relationship, it’s hard not to let my mind drift there. Yet, Lord, you can do so much more if I give you my burdens, large or small. You literally desire to carry them for me! Your Word says “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26) Lord, be the strength of my heart today.
So, if you’re feeling it or not, this Monday morning can be a wonderful day! Today is a gift. You will never get it back again. Please know that your Heavenly Father delights in extending His hand to you today. He is very present and available. He is personal and longs to tend to your every need. Just invite Him into your day.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I need a bit of encouragement to start my week. Maybe you do too! So, cheers to giving our disarray to God…
Starting the week tired? Lord, in those moments where I’m dragging, please lift me up and give me rest. Help me learn from you the rhythms of life. You created time and have given me 24 hours each day. Please help me use it well with the strength that you can provide. Lord, help me find moments to relax, and not feel guilty doing so. Help my soul find rest in You. (Psalm 62:1)
Feeling overwhelmed? Lord, I pray for your peace today. Break through my feelings of stress, anxiety and worry that have crept in my mind. You remind me that I don’t need to be anxious about anything, but by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present my requests to you. (Philippians 4:6-7) Today, Lord, I give you my stressors. Please allow me to experience the joy of allowing you to carry them. Give me insight in how to manage my busy day, living in your abundance.
Upcoming meetings? Lord, sometimes, I go crazy over the amount of meetings I have! Yet, help me, this week, to look at every appointment-every person, as someone created in your image who deserves my whole self, my full attention and my best self. Help me treat all people with love and honor. Help me remember that you delight in giving me wisdom, discernment, and guidance I need in every meeting I have.
Heavy heart? It’s hard to tuck away the stuff I carry into my work-week, Lord. Whether it’s a ailing parent or a sick child, a fear about the future or a fractured relationship, it’s hard not to let my mind drift there. Yet, Lord, you can do so much more if I give you my burdens, large or small. You literally desire to carry them for me! Your Word says “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26) Lord, be the strength of my heart today.
So, if you’re feeling it or not, this Monday morning can be a wonderful day! Today is a gift. You will never get it back again. Please know that your Heavenly Father delights in extending His hand to you today. He is very present and available. He is personal and longs to tend to your every need. Just invite Him into your day.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)