Disturbance of Peace

It was 5:20 a.m. in the morning, just days before Christmas. Ben had already left for his morning Starbucks ritual. After tying my running shoes, I headed out the door to the YMCA. As I opened the door, there before me was a tall man staring at me in the dark, just inches away. He was motionless. I let out a bloodcurdling scream as he tried to push on the door, but somehow I managed to shut and lock it. After fumbling with my phone, I called 911, along with our local neighborhood police unit. The man continued to pound and yell “Let me in…let me in...” and eventually broke through the door window before the policed arrived. For fun, let’s hashtag this experience: #frightenedoutofmymind  #someonepleasecomequick!

 

We are grateful the man was apprehended and that all is well in our home. A bit shaken up, we realize how quickly things can change in life. Ben and I were just wrapping up our annual tradition of reading out loud to one another “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” From hosting a large Christmas party to visiting family in Ohio to enjoying a home Spurs game, we were in full Christmas mode. Life was good. In a blink of an eye, things changed.

 

Isaiah 9:6 states “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” Over the last week, I’ve been meditating on that verse. Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Prince of PEACE.

 

Prince of PEACE. PEACE when a family member gets a cancer diagnosis. PEACE when a job is lost. PEACE when there is turmoil in a relationship. PEACE when finances are dwindling. PEACE when kids are making poor choices. PEACE in the midst of tumultuous weather. PEACE when we are judged by others. PEACE when circumstances aren’t going our way. PEACE when our own home is broken into. Do you know this kind of peace? A relationship with God gives us peace with God. This peace can carry us through the worst of circumstances (Romans 5:1)

 

God’s peace is different than the world’s peace, which is subject to circumstances. When circumstances are good, peace is present. When circumstances go south, peace departs. Having “peace” doesn’t mean “easy.” God promised that He would carry us through the difficult times. In fact, in the Bible, we are to expect tribulation (John 16:33) and trials. (James 1:2) But, as we give God our worries and anxieties, the peace of God will literally guard and protect our hearts and mind. (Philippians 4:6-7) 

 

Some of you reading this may think this kind of peace is non-existent or ridiculous. Talking about God gives you anything but peace; it makes you very uncomfortable. Because you haven’t experienced this kind of peace for yourself, you may not believe it’s possible. I ask you to consider God and the peace He has to offer.

 

What has disrupted your peace today? What trials or troubles have left your tummy in knots? I know. I get it. Living in peace each day is not easy. This week, I have continued to struggle with some anxiety in my home. The world around me can bring disruption to everything near and dear to my life. But nothing can separate me from Jesus and His peace. Nothing.

 

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

Mary, Did You Know?

I can’t get enough of the beautiful Christmas music this time of year. One of my favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, Did You Know?” written by Mark Lowry, seen now as a modern Christmas classic. The song begins questioning Mary…”Mary did you know that your baby boy will someday walk on water? Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you.”

 

The other day, as I was listening to this song, sung by Amy Grant, I was struck by the questions asked in this song. Mary, did you know? As a thirteen year old teenager, Mary didn’t know that her baby boy would give sight to a blind man or calm a storm with his hands. Mary didn’t know that her baby boy would be Lord of all creation or one day rule the nations. Mary just didn’t know at the time.

 

I can only imagine that finding out such news as a thirteen year old girl in that era could have been quite a shock. I can only imagine Mary might have felt shame, worry and stress over such an announcement. As I pictured myself in Mary’s shoes, this announcement might have freaked me out. In Luke 1:28, the angel said...“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.” The angel knew what Mary must have been thinking because he responded…”Do not be afraid. Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his Father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”  I'm sorry, but that's just craziness to have an angel show up at your door step! Imagine hearing from a real live angel that you would give birth to a son whose kingdom will never end! Mary responded just like you and I might!  She asked a question..... “How will this be since I am a virgin?” The angel said “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:35, 37) You gotta be kidding me! I’m a pretty gullible person, but if the angel gave me that line, I might have started laughing in disbelief! Yet Mary responds “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” Just like that and the angel is gone. 

 

The Christmas story began with a virgin girl willing to say “yes” to God. Mary didn’t know a lot but what she did know, she believed and trusted God.  Today, we have access to the entire Bible that tells us the rest of the story. The story that Mary didn’t fully know, you can know in full. Knowing this story can change your life. Saying yes to this story can change your life. It did for Mary. It can for you.

 

"Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life. ~Corrie Ten Boom

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

What God Wants For Christmas

My husband recently asked me what I wanted for Christmas. It's that time of year when Ben begins to panic..."What in the world do I get her?" Each year, I tell him the same thing. I want a pony. A real live four-legged, living, breathing and moving horse. I need to share all those adjectives with him because last year I received a 12-pack of mini-stuffed Ty pony animals that ended up being dog toys. If only he would listen....:)

Christmas brings dilemmas to even the best gift buyer. the questions that roll in our mind this time of year... What do I buy for so and so? How much should I spend? Where and when will I go shopping? It's those type of questions that can bring us plenty of angst at this time of year. Of course, we can't forget the proverbial question we ask each other about this time of December... Do you have all your shopping done? With all the stress that comes with even THINKING about shopping, I can easily forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Just recently, I heard the song "What God Wants for Christmas" by Darius Rucker. The song goes like this "I wonder what God wants for Christmas...Something that you can't find in a store. Maybe peace on earth, no more empty seats in church...might be what's on His wish list. I wonder what God wants for Christmas... What do you give someone who gave His Only Son? What if we believe in Him like He believes in us?"

I don't know about you, but honestly, I haven't thought recently about what God might want from me this Christmas. Have you? I can get so busy with being busy! Just this weekend, we're preparing for an upcoming big party. Between other parties, preparations, buying gifts and traveling, we sometimes don't consider that God might want something from us. As I think and pray about it, I think He wants me to be more attentive to His moment by moment presence in my life. He wants me to remember the joy of His birth so many years ago and live with that joy. He wants me to show and share His love with others this Christmas...and always.

What does God want from you this Christmas? If you do everything you can to avoid God, maybe He would like for you to move one step closer to Him. If you've kept God at a distance because life didn't turn out the way you wanted, maybe now is the time to reconsider God. Perhaps, you've put God aside just because you're not into religion. God is not about religion, but a relationship with you. He loves you more than anyone on this earth ever could love you! Maybe you love God, but just got caught up in the busyness of the season. Now's the time to make Him a priority. Read and ponder the Christmas story. Use an Advent calendar with your family. Take time to pray and thank God for sending His Son to this earth. Recommit to make time for this most important relationship. Jesus. The reason we have a Christmas.

What do you give someone who gave His only Son? What if we believe in Him like He believes in us? The answer is in the song. What does God want from you this Christmas?

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

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

"It's the most wonderful time of the year! With the kids jingle belling and everyone telling you... be of good cheer! It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's the hap-happiest season of all....With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call... It's the hap-happiest season of all." (written in 1963 by Edward Pola and George Wyle, sung by Andy Williams)

 

With all the parties for hosting and marshmallows for toasting and caroling out in the snow, you would think it's the happiest time of the year ALWAYS. Right? Wrong. As we turn the corner into the holiday season, our country has already experienced two horrific mass shootings, one in Colorado Springs and one in San Bernardino. We recently watched in utter disbelief the news from the Paris' attack. Here at home, we know people around us (or ourselves) that have faced much grief, sadness and/or disappointment this last year. Many are facing a holiday without a significant loved one. Some have a wayward child. Some an ailing parent. Others continue to stuff hidden pain deeper and deeper into their heart. Finally, some are just plain lonely. Sometimes, the kids jingle belling and caroling out in the snow isn't enough to shake off the sadness of what was, what isn't and what will never be again.

 

If you are one that is feeling such a burden this Christmas, I am so, so sorry. I believe God is sorry and longs to hold you and care for you and shower you with His never-failing love.  I pray that you will allow God to be your greatest comforter, friend and hope this Christmas. God bless you and keep you.

 

If you are one that is looking forward to this season and all of its wonder, I encourage you to excel in loving well. 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. When I read this chunk of verses about love, I'm blown away by how love deficient I can be at times! But, I know that God IS love and gives me supernatural ability to love as I trust in Him. I learn to get outside my own hurts and little pains and reach out to others. The homeless. The Alzheimer resident. The sales associate at Macys. The waitress at Lupe Tortilla. The person in the line at Target. As I get rid of my me-first attitude and love others with God's love... things change. 

 

So, why not rearrange your normal thinking this Christmas? Instead of buying presents, be present to others. Instead of shopping for food, donate food. Instead of putting up lights, be a light. Instead of worrying about someone, reach out and ask how you might help support them. Be love this Christmas.

 

As the song goes.... "It's the most wonderful time of the year. There'll be much mistletoeing and hearts will be glowing when loved ones are near." This Christmas, your love can make a HUGE difference in someone's life. It really can. BE one of those loved ones that are near. Near enough to care. Near enough to listen. Near enough to give. Near enough to love. Don't be a stranger to others' sufferings. Enter in. This December, I challenge you to MAKE it a most wonderful time of the year. For someone else. Merry Christmas!

 

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." Psalm 58:6

 

"He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1:4

 

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

A Sense of Urgency

Black Friday lacked its usual luster this year. Not that I ventured out early on Friday, but I read about it the next day. Parking lots not so full. People not as frenzied. Traffic not so bad. What was so different? No need to wait for discounts. Easy access to order things on line. It seems there is no longer a sense of urgency to buy an item.

 

I've not been one to get up at 4 a.m. on Black Friday. I can only remember one Black Friday where my friend and I ventured out for deals. It was CRAZY! The lines. The people. The unruliness of people to be first and get what they wanted. I can't even remember what I bought that was so very important. 

 

What creates a sense of urgency in your life? Black Friday? Christmas shopping? Getting work done? Making money? Honestly, I don't want to get to the end of my life with a sense of urgency about things that don't matter. I find myself often turning to the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Bible) to find Jesus Christ living a different sort of life.

 

Jesus had a sense of urgency, but for things that were eternal in nature. He wasn't stressed out. He wasn't frantic. He was focused. He was intentional. When criticized, He didn't defend himself, but kept on mission with His Father's work. Every day mattered. Every relationship mattered. How He communicated to others mattered. Time was precious because He was about His Father's business. By looking at the life of Jesus Christ, we can learn so much! First and foremost, we can have a personal relationship with Jesus. Secondly, we can follow Jesus in His way of life. Finally, we can live with a sense of urgency like Jesus.

 

I wonder what assignment God would have for you, if only you would ask? How could God use your gifts to make a difference? What do you fear that keeps you from moving closer to God's purposes for your life? Where do you need to put off procrastination? What people need your encouragement and love today? Whom have you refused to forgive? Living a life for God gives new meaning to a sense of urgency. It means looking at what has hindered you.

 

Christmas season is here. What's going to put you in a frenzy? Is it buying stuff? Running ragged to get everything done?  Keep calm and look at Jesus' life. Learn from Him what matters most. Have a sense of urgency....for what matters.

 

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

The Missing Ingredient

I love to bake, but I can be known to be a distracted baker. I might be preparing two different dishes and get distracted. I can step out of the kitchen to do something else. Look for the dog. Check my phone. It reminds me of a "distracted baking incident" I had years ago. I had made a pumpkin bar dessert for a women's bible study. It was my first time to try the recipe, but I had tasted the bars before. I knew they'd be good! To my chagrin, once my friends and I had tasted them, I realized something was horribly wrong. I had forgotten the main ingredient-pumpkin. LOL. I am still razzed for that faux pas years later. Just recently, I had made an awesome banana bread, a recipe my husband loves. But, it's honestly not that good without sugar. Lesson learned.

 

Missing ingredients. What happens when one ingredient is left out of your baking? Usually, each ingredient is there for a purpose. Take for instance, baking a cake. It's really basic chemistry. Your mixing ingredients together and making it react into something delicious. Each ingredient is very important. You can't leave out the eggs or it would bad. You can't leave out the salt or baking power or it would be bad. Get the point?  It would end up where my banana bread did. The trash.

 

In just a few short days, you will probably be celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family. Thanksgiving, for you, may include a large turkey. A beautifully set table. Relatives coming into town. A traditional morning turkey trot  An afternoon Cowboy game. It's wonderful to have such rich traditions at the holidays!  But, don't miss the most important ingredient on Thanksgiving!

 

As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and significant favors of Almighty God." Thanksgiving is about being grateful to God and recognizing the many blessings HE has given us. Sometimes, we miss the main ingredient of Thanksgiving.... God!

 

What can you do to ensure that God is a part of your Thanksgiving this year? Here are a few ideas: Ask someone to say a blessing for the meal.  Or, go around the table and share one thing you're thankful for. Maybe read a devotional about Thanksgiving before eating. If you've lost a loved one since last year, share one special memory about your deceased love one. If you're experiencing a difficult Thanksgiving this year, acknowledge it. Deal with the elephant in the room. Perhaps share a scripture from the Bible that gives you hope. Just don't forget God on Thanksgiving!

 

We experience incredible joy when we choose to be grateful.  When we lift our eyes from even crummy circumstances and still give thanks to God... something amazing happens. Our countenance changes. Our attitude changes. And others take note. So, this Thanksgiving, lead the way and make sure you and your loved ones give thanks to the One who deserves our thanks.  Don't let God be a missing ingredient on your Thanksgiving Day.

 

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

Under Pressure!

I'm not good under pressure. I'm learning to be better. Not there yet. I can put together a mean "to do" list, and work really hard to get through it. But, sometimes, I fall short. Just can't do everything! Sometimes, I think I put pressure on myself. Undue pressure. I can make everything seem urgent and that it's mine alone to handle. Not true.

 

There's all types of pressure. Pressure to keep up with others. Pressure to keep going. Pressure to get ahead. Pressure to get the promotion. Pressure to stay relevant. Pressure to have perfect kids. Pressure to lose weight. Pressure to always feel like you have to say yes. And oh, pressure to get your Christmas shopping done early.

 

Are you under the pressure of something? Have you set unrealistic demands on yourself? Trying to be in control or perfect at something? Do you feel pressure from unreasonable demands others place on you? If pressure has just been a way of life for you, how is it working for you? What needs to give? Do you know your limits? Have you considered how important it is for you to take time to pause, stop and rest?

For me, I'm in a rush to get out of town for a conference. I have so much to do in a short period of time. But, this morning, I knew that I needed to start my day being in God's presence. I needed to read God's Word and pray.  Pray about all the stuff I had to do. As I spent time with God, my focus changed. I didn't walk into my day with worry or anxiety. Instead, I experienced a peaceful spirit throughout my day. And somehow, things got done ahead of time. Imagine that!

There is no way you can have continued, constant pressure long term in your life. Some part of you will be affected negatively. Sleep issues. Physical issues. Lack of exercise. No time for relationships. Distracted. No time for fun. We WILL have times where we are super busy and under pressure. Absolutely. Don't stop being your best and giving full effort to every area of your life. But don't stop living in the process. Under pressure? Find rest in God. Seek peace from God. He gives us ways of navigating the pressures of life. Just try Him.
 

"I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:1-2

 

"From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to a rock that is higher than I. For you have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings." Psalm 61:2-4

 

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