There's something about Christmas Day that gives us freedom to slow down, chill, hang out with those we love and eat way more than we should eat. It's Christmas! It's one of those days we have permission to be super lazy all day long, with no repercussions. I have a feeling the Spurs thought so too! They forget they had to work on Christmas Day. Epic meltdown at home against the Houston Rockets.
I'm sure Coach Pop had a nice cozy fireside chat with his team in the locker room that night after the game. Looking back to evaluate what went wrong that night and how the team can improve is not a bad thing. It's necessary. But, if the Spurs focused on that really horrible Christmas day game, they would just be groveling in the past. They have to learn from their mistakes, while looking forward and planning for future games.
As we count down the last days of 2013, it would be wise for us to do the same. Take time to look back and evaluate this past year. Consider these questions: 1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2013 for me? 2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments were highlights in 2013? 3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2013: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, and recreationally. 4. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to move forward with?
Why not consider taking time to think through the above four questions? Evaluating the past year can give us direction for how to move forward in 2014. Take time this week to thank God for this past year. Every day of our life is a gift to be cherished. We are not promised tomorrow. Lastly, look forward to the year to come. Begin thinking about what you'd like to see happen in your life in 2014. Anticipate and smile at the future, knowing that it is ultimately God who holds your future.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Gracie Lou and Christmas Shenanigans
Gracie Lou, our 12.5 year old English Springer, is up to her Christmas Shenanigans once again. With a recent diagnosis of liver cancer, we have most certainly walked through some sad days lately. Gracie Lou, however, is determined to keep us laughing and make this Christmas memorable. She will not be outdone. Just yesterday, I spotted a 9x13 plastic container of recently baked gingerbread cookies down on the floor, near the doggie door. I assume she was masterminding an exit strategy through the door, but hit a major loophole. Or should I say, too small of hole?
Of course, having spent 11 Christmases with Gracie Lou, I can recall countless Christmas mischief. How about the year that I had a beautifully wrapped gift box of goodies from Knott's Berry Farm, only to find the pancake mix box contents spread all over the floor? Or how about the time(s) where she got into the entire gift box of chocolates? Of course, doggies and chocolates don't do well together, so we've seen more than one holiday trip to the vet for these misdemeanors. I learned early on that I couldn't place any gifts under the tree until Christmas, because she thinks ALL the gifts are hers and proceeds to open each one.
So, yesterday, when I saw the cookie container by the doggie door, I folded my arms together and just stared at her. (trying not to smile) Her low-hanging head demonstrated her remorse and guilt. She knew full well what she had done. She slowly did a 180 and proceeded to slink out of the room. Of course, Gracie Lou gets lots of grace these days.
Sin is a crazy thing. We know we are wrong at times, but try our best to cover up stuff. Sin management. We want to hide our guilt and mistakes...as if they didn't happen. Our bad stuff. We want to tiptoe out of the room, just like Gracie Lou and make like we didn't do what we did. Mean to our spouse. Stretch the truth. Cheat. Gossip. Judge someone else. Treat someone with a lack of respect. Hold a grudge. And somehow, we can make like our actions are acceptable.
God hates sin. God loves us. That's why we have Christmas. He loved us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to have a full and open relationship with Him. I made that decision years ago to accept Christ as my Savior. I now get it. I'm still going to sin until my dying day. But now, I can go to God and ask forgiveness. And you know what? He will always forgive me, because of my relationship with Christ. Always. He will do the same for you as well.
Gracie Lou's shenanigans remind me of my own propensity to sin. She also reminds me of God's grace. I will continue to extend to her the grace that I have received from God. What else is there to do?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Of course, having spent 11 Christmases with Gracie Lou, I can recall countless Christmas mischief. How about the year that I had a beautifully wrapped gift box of goodies from Knott's Berry Farm, only to find the pancake mix box contents spread all over the floor? Or how about the time(s) where she got into the entire gift box of chocolates? Of course, doggies and chocolates don't do well together, so we've seen more than one holiday trip to the vet for these misdemeanors. I learned early on that I couldn't place any gifts under the tree until Christmas, because she thinks ALL the gifts are hers and proceeds to open each one.
So, yesterday, when I saw the cookie container by the doggie door, I folded my arms together and just stared at her. (trying not to smile) Her low-hanging head demonstrated her remorse and guilt. She knew full well what she had done. She slowly did a 180 and proceeded to slink out of the room. Of course, Gracie Lou gets lots of grace these days.
Sin is a crazy thing. We know we are wrong at times, but try our best to cover up stuff. Sin management. We want to hide our guilt and mistakes...as if they didn't happen. Our bad stuff. We want to tiptoe out of the room, just like Gracie Lou and make like we didn't do what we did. Mean to our spouse. Stretch the truth. Cheat. Gossip. Judge someone else. Treat someone with a lack of respect. Hold a grudge. And somehow, we can make like our actions are acceptable.
God hates sin. God loves us. That's why we have Christmas. He loved us so much that He wanted to make a way for us to have a full and open relationship with Him. I made that decision years ago to accept Christ as my Savior. I now get it. I'm still going to sin until my dying day. But now, I can go to God and ask forgiveness. And you know what? He will always forgive me, because of my relationship with Christ. Always. He will do the same for you as well.
Gracie Lou's shenanigans remind me of my own propensity to sin. She also reminds me of God's grace. I will continue to extend to her the grace that I have received from God. What else is there to do?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Christmas Frenzy!
The Christmas frenzy is upon us. Crowded airports. Long lines in the stores. Early morning shopping deals. Wrapping and exchanging gifts. Christmas parties. Perhaps, I feel the frenzy most when I dare to join the throngs and go Christmas shopping. As I exit the mall, I get a kick out of stealthy cars, hoping to score a close parking spot by following close on my heels to my car.
Yesterday, I was shopping in Boerne with a friend and we came upon a variety of nativity scenes. As I looked at each one, I was captivated by the simplicity and ruggedness of the manger scene. Three wise men. Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus. A camel, sheep and manger. Barns for the most part, aren't real cozy, warm and comfortable places. No curtains. No couches or beds. No heaters. No decorations. No lights. The birth of the baby Jesus in such a place seems a far cry from how Christmas is depicted today.
The baby Jesus could have been born in a shopping mall. But He wasn't. Or on a subway in Manhattan. Or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Or Hollywood on a hill. But He wasn't. God chose a simple manger, far from civilization for the birth of His Son. Jesus' birth characterized his entire life, one of humility. His life was not about getting a name for Himself. Jesus' life was about glorifying His Father in life as well as death. We would do well to follow Jesus in His character and actions.
Take a look at a nativity scene this week. Stare at it for a while. Allow yourself time to walk into the manger. Hear the sounds from the barn. Feel the cold and wind leaking through the old barn cracks. Move close to the manger and look intently on the baby Jesus. Hear his cries. Look at the wonder and amazement on Mary and Joseph's faces. Feel what they must have felt. Jesus' birth is one amazing miracle.
Could it be that the Christmas frenzy hinders you from contemplating the beauty and simplicity of Christmas? Ask yourself, "Have I allowed Christmas to become way too big a production? How can I simplify for me and/or my family? How can I focus these days leading up to Christmas on what matters most?" Today is a new day. Let's start up by looking to the manger...and learning from the beauty and simplicity of Jesus' birth. Merry Christmas!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Yesterday, I was shopping in Boerne with a friend and we came upon a variety of nativity scenes. As I looked at each one, I was captivated by the simplicity and ruggedness of the manger scene. Three wise men. Mary and Joseph. The baby Jesus. A camel, sheep and manger. Barns for the most part, aren't real cozy, warm and comfortable places. No curtains. No couches or beds. No heaters. No decorations. No lights. The birth of the baby Jesus in such a place seems a far cry from how Christmas is depicted today.
The baby Jesus could have been born in a shopping mall. But He wasn't. Or on a subway in Manhattan. Or Michigan Avenue in Chicago. Or Hollywood on a hill. But He wasn't. God chose a simple manger, far from civilization for the birth of His Son. Jesus' birth characterized his entire life, one of humility. His life was not about getting a name for Himself. Jesus' life was about glorifying His Father in life as well as death. We would do well to follow Jesus in His character and actions.
Take a look at a nativity scene this week. Stare at it for a while. Allow yourself time to walk into the manger. Hear the sounds from the barn. Feel the cold and wind leaking through the old barn cracks. Move close to the manger and look intently on the baby Jesus. Hear his cries. Look at the wonder and amazement on Mary and Joseph's faces. Feel what they must have felt. Jesus' birth is one amazing miracle.
Could it be that the Christmas frenzy hinders you from contemplating the beauty and simplicity of Christmas? Ask yourself, "Have I allowed Christmas to become way too big a production? How can I simplify for me and/or my family? How can I focus these days leading up to Christmas on what matters most?" Today is a new day. Let's start up by looking to the manger...and learning from the beauty and simplicity of Jesus' birth. Merry Christmas!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Messing Up on Thanksgiving
It was an atypical Thanksgiving day in Dallas, 1993. I woke up early to get downtown to run in the annual Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot. Sleet and ice were forecasted for later that day. Not a great day in the neighborhood. Later that afternoon, I vividly remember sliding down the street on a sheet of ice to my neighbor's house for a Thanksgiving celebration. I was doing what I love on Thanksgiving...starting the day with the Trot, enjoying a meal with close friends and watching my beloved Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys? A game I'll never forget. Some of you know where I'm going with this. :) The Cowboys were 7-3 and playing the Miami Dolphins. (8-2) They were leading by a score of 14-13 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins were attempting a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most all of the Cowboys were celebrating like crazy, Leon Lett attempted to recover the ball. He slipped on the ice as he tried to pick up the ball. Miami recovered on the Dallas one-yard line. Had Lett done nothing, the Cowboys would have had possession and won the game. By touching the ball and failing to hold on to it, Lett allowed the Dolphins to take possession, try another kick and win the game. Whether you care about football or not, you gotta feel for the guy. Major mess up on Thanksgiving Day.
I wonder how many times on Thanksgiving Day, Cowboy fans play back that horrible memory. Most of us laugh now. Maybe Leon Lett laughs about it now. I hope so. But,, I bet he didn't mean to make a mistake that day. It just happened. Momentary brain block. Whatever. He thought he was doing a good thing. But, he messed up.
We have such high expectations when it comes to the holidays. We want it all to go well. No fights on the way to Grandma's house. Perfect outcomes with all the food. No long lines at the store. No expectations with family members. Great deals on Black Friday. The holidays can be stressful, even on Thanksgiving. When things mess up for whatever reason, how do we respond?
Today is a great day to put on your Thanksgiving week perspective. Are you going to be the kind of person that others enjoy being around? Grateful? Able to laugh at your mistakes? Gracious to others who make mistakes? Forgiving quickly? Patient with others? Start your week committed to practice not only gratitude, but a way of life that demonstrates a godly and loving character. Don't judge those around you when they don't do what YOU would do. Give people grace. And then some more grace. Love them in spite of messin' up. Cause you know what? We all mess up, sooner or later. Ask Leon Lett. Happy Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The Cowboys? A game I'll never forget. Some of you know where I'm going with this. :) The Cowboys were 7-3 and playing the Miami Dolphins. (8-2) They were leading by a score of 14-13 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Dolphins were attempting a 41-yard field goal to take the lead but the kick was blocked. While most all of the Cowboys were celebrating like crazy, Leon Lett attempted to recover the ball. He slipped on the ice as he tried to pick up the ball. Miami recovered on the Dallas one-yard line. Had Lett done nothing, the Cowboys would have had possession and won the game. By touching the ball and failing to hold on to it, Lett allowed the Dolphins to take possession, try another kick and win the game. Whether you care about football or not, you gotta feel for the guy. Major mess up on Thanksgiving Day.
I wonder how many times on Thanksgiving Day, Cowboy fans play back that horrible memory. Most of us laugh now. Maybe Leon Lett laughs about it now. I hope so. But,, I bet he didn't mean to make a mistake that day. It just happened. Momentary brain block. Whatever. He thought he was doing a good thing. But, he messed up.
We have such high expectations when it comes to the holidays. We want it all to go well. No fights on the way to Grandma's house. Perfect outcomes with all the food. No long lines at the store. No expectations with family members. Great deals on Black Friday. The holidays can be stressful, even on Thanksgiving. When things mess up for whatever reason, how do we respond?
Today is a great day to put on your Thanksgiving week perspective. Are you going to be the kind of person that others enjoy being around? Grateful? Able to laugh at your mistakes? Gracious to others who make mistakes? Forgiving quickly? Patient with others? Start your week committed to practice not only gratitude, but a way of life that demonstrates a godly and loving character. Don't judge those around you when they don't do what YOU would do. Give people grace. And then some more grace. Love them in spite of messin' up. Cause you know what? We all mess up, sooner or later. Ask Leon Lett. Happy Thanksgiving!
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The Gift of Sensitivity
Christmas brings up all sorts of special memories. I remember as a kid making Gingerbread men cookies and leaving a few out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Santa must have liked them because they were always gone by Christmas morning. I remember each year Daddy would bring home a live potted Christmas tree that would we plant in our field right after the holiday. As a child, the anticipation and wonder of Christmas was magical. I have many wonderful memories.
I also remember in later years having a hard time during some holidays. For so many years, I was single and missed the joy of having a partner to celebrate the holidays with. It was a discipline for me to focus on the true reason we celebrate Christmas, and not give in to comparison, jealousy or sadness for what I lacked. It reminds me that not everyone sees this time of year as joyful.
As we gear up for the holiday frenzy around us, maybe we could all give a gift that costs absolutely nothing. The gift of sensitivity. Take time to notice the people around you. The lonely waiter. The stressed out Macy's salesperson. The person on the treadmill next to you. Your friend that just got divorced. An elderly widow. Someone who can't make it home for the holidays. Take time to ask. Take time to listen. Invite someone for a meal. Send a card. Initiate a prayer. Simple, low cost ways of loving those around us with sensitivity.
For those of you that struggle this Christmas, never forget the joy of why this season is so special. It's not the glitter, gifts or even festive parties that are important. It's the beauty of the birth of the baby Jesus in a manger longer time ago. The simplicity of the baby Jesus, wrapped in hope for a dark world. Peace. Hope. Love. Joy. All available in Christ. May God encourage you this season with new beginnings and new found hope.
For all of us, let's be quick to be sensitive to those around us at the holiday season. You may not feel like you're that sensitive of a person, but give it a try. You'll be surprised. We have no clue what some might be facing, even though they "look" happy on the outside. Take time to notice. Take time to care. Go the extra mile. Show love and compassion to those who are hurting. Yes, this is the beauty of Christmas. You may not even realize the difference you could make in someone else's life today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I also remember in later years having a hard time during some holidays. For so many years, I was single and missed the joy of having a partner to celebrate the holidays with. It was a discipline for me to focus on the true reason we celebrate Christmas, and not give in to comparison, jealousy or sadness for what I lacked. It reminds me that not everyone sees this time of year as joyful.
As we gear up for the holiday frenzy around us, maybe we could all give a gift that costs absolutely nothing. The gift of sensitivity. Take time to notice the people around you. The lonely waiter. The stressed out Macy's salesperson. The person on the treadmill next to you. Your friend that just got divorced. An elderly widow. Someone who can't make it home for the holidays. Take time to ask. Take time to listen. Invite someone for a meal. Send a card. Initiate a prayer. Simple, low cost ways of loving those around us with sensitivity.
For those of you that struggle this Christmas, never forget the joy of why this season is so special. It's not the glitter, gifts or even festive parties that are important. It's the beauty of the birth of the baby Jesus in a manger longer time ago. The simplicity of the baby Jesus, wrapped in hope for a dark world. Peace. Hope. Love. Joy. All available in Christ. May God encourage you this season with new beginnings and new found hope.
For all of us, let's be quick to be sensitive to those around us at the holiday season. You may not feel like you're that sensitive of a person, but give it a try. You'll be surprised. We have no clue what some might be facing, even though they "look" happy on the outside. Take time to notice. Take time to care. Go the extra mile. Show love and compassion to those who are hurting. Yes, this is the beauty of Christmas. You may not even realize the difference you could make in someone else's life today.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Gracie Lou and Gratitude
Dogs can teach us about life. If only we would take heed to the treasures they teach us. Gracie Lou is our 12.5 year old English Springer. She is beyond happy to see us each time we walk through the front door. She is so grateful for every meal that we place in her food bowl. She's ecstatic when she gets a dog bone. She loves serving as my husband's fishing partner, always ready to help land the fish. She doesn't know about the challenges of life that we humans deal with. She's a dog.
This last week, I found out that Gracie Lou has liver cancer. We don't know how long she has on this earth, but we do know her days are numbered. Periodically, I can see a look in her eyes as if to say "I don't feel like I used to.....something's not right." But, she is so happy, so grateful, and treasures the simple things that come her way each day. The morning paper. A treat. A good meal. Cuddle time. Scrambled eggs on Saturdays. Swimming in her baby pool. Gracie Lou doesn't know about cancer, death, or the horrible atrocities that you and I hear and read about in the news. She's a dog.
Even though Gracie Lou is probably hurting, she continues to force herself to respond with the same exuberance and the same gratitude with her family. She loves life and even though a horrible cancer is taking over her body, she remains grateful. She lives with a beautiful spirit that I want more of.
Life can do a number on us. Somehow, as time marches on, we begin to have expectations. We lose a spirit of gratitude, because we expect things to go our way. Things don't always go our way. We forget that every meal, every breath, every life experience is a precious gift from God. We take for granted having a home, enjoying a meal, having family and friends, working a job and yes, even God. You see, God is the giver of all good gifts. He tells us in the Bible "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5;18)
How can you and I practice a life of gratitude? First and foremost, eliminate complaining from your life. Just quit. You can do it. Secondly, reflect and speak about what you're thankful for. Consistently tell those around you how much you appreciate them. Thank your spouse, friend, co-worker or children-even for the little things. Thank God as well! He love to be appreciated! Finally, seek to become a man or woman of gratitude. Let gratitude ooze out of you...even when life doesn't go your way. Today, I'm grateful for Gracie Lou, her life and the days we have left with her. Knowing what I know now makes me appreciate every moment. Yes, she's teaching me a lot these days.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
This last week, I found out that Gracie Lou has liver cancer. We don't know how long she has on this earth, but we do know her days are numbered. Periodically, I can see a look in her eyes as if to say "I don't feel like I used to.....something's not right." But, she is so happy, so grateful, and treasures the simple things that come her way each day. The morning paper. A treat. A good meal. Cuddle time. Scrambled eggs on Saturdays. Swimming in her baby pool. Gracie Lou doesn't know about cancer, death, or the horrible atrocities that you and I hear and read about in the news. She's a dog.
Even though Gracie Lou is probably hurting, she continues to force herself to respond with the same exuberance and the same gratitude with her family. She loves life and even though a horrible cancer is taking over her body, she remains grateful. She lives with a beautiful spirit that I want more of.
Life can do a number on us. Somehow, as time marches on, we begin to have expectations. We lose a spirit of gratitude, because we expect things to go our way. Things don't always go our way. We forget that every meal, every breath, every life experience is a precious gift from God. We take for granted having a home, enjoying a meal, having family and friends, working a job and yes, even God. You see, God is the giver of all good gifts. He tells us in the Bible "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5;18)
How can you and I practice a life of gratitude? First and foremost, eliminate complaining from your life. Just quit. You can do it. Secondly, reflect and speak about what you're thankful for. Consistently tell those around you how much you appreciate them. Thank your spouse, friend, co-worker or children-even for the little things. Thank God as well! He love to be appreciated! Finally, seek to become a man or woman of gratitude. Let gratitude ooze out of you...even when life doesn't go your way. Today, I'm grateful for Gracie Lou, her life and the days we have left with her. Knowing what I know now makes me appreciate every moment. Yes, she's teaching me a lot these days.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Counting on the Cowboys?
My husband recently bought home something that others might find little interest in.... Cowboy Duct Tape. Yep, that's right. Cowboy duct tape. Of course, I also have Cowboy T-shirts, visors, coffee mugs, and sunglasses. But duct tape? I've thought about using it to keep from screaming at the television when things don't go so well for the boys. It seems like you can never quite count on which boys are going to show up on a Sunday. The good Cowboys or the bad Cowboys?
I've been a Cowboy fan all my life. I love the Cowboys! But, you know what? I can't count on the Cowboys to win. I want to. But, I just can't. They let me down way too often. There are some days where I don't want to don my T-shirt...call it feeling humiliated on their behalf. Maybe, there will be a day where I can always count on them. But, I doubt it. Our teams eventually let us down. So will people.
What can you really count on in this life? Honestly, I think the answer is God and God alone. I know. You may not think you can always count on God. Maybe you feel he let you down sometime in your life and you just can't reconcile that. He didn't do what you wanted Him to do. But the truth is, He is always trustworthy, whether you think so or not. He will never let you down. I can't hope in people, teams or circumstances to turn out the way I want them to. But I can hope in God.
As you start your day, consider this beautiful compilation of scriptures taken from Max Lucado's book 'God Will Carry You Through': "I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds his people now and forever. You are my help. Because of your protection, I sing. Our help comes form the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-3; Psalm 125:2; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 124:8) You can count on God. Begin your day looking to Him. He will never let you down. The Cowboys will.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I've been a Cowboy fan all my life. I love the Cowboys! But, you know what? I can't count on the Cowboys to win. I want to. But, I just can't. They let me down way too often. There are some days where I don't want to don my T-shirt...call it feeling humiliated on their behalf. Maybe, there will be a day where I can always count on them. But, I doubt it. Our teams eventually let us down. So will people.
What can you really count on in this life? Honestly, I think the answer is God and God alone. I know. You may not think you can always count on God. Maybe you feel he let you down sometime in your life and you just can't reconcile that. He didn't do what you wanted Him to do. But the truth is, He is always trustworthy, whether you think so or not. He will never let you down. I can't hope in people, teams or circumstances to turn out the way I want them to. But I can hope in God.
As you start your day, consider this beautiful compilation of scriptures taken from Max Lucado's book 'God Will Carry You Through': "I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you be defeated. He who guards you never sleeps. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds his people now and forever. You are my help. Because of your protection, I sing. Our help comes form the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-3; Psalm 125:2; Psalm 63:7; Psalm 124:8) You can count on God. Begin your day looking to Him. He will never let you down. The Cowboys will.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Remembering the Cost
It was November, 2007. A cold, dark and cloudy day. I remember standing motionlessly, staring at thousands of shoes through a giant glass window. No, I wasn't at Macy's holiday window on Michigan Avenue. I was at Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in Poland. I remember staring in horror at over 25,000 pairs of shoes behind a huge glass case. My friend and I stared in silence for a long time. It was said that those shoes had been collected in one day at the peak of the horrible atrocities there. My heart broke as I tried to fathom such loss of human life.
I can't always comprehend fully the freedoms we have here in the United Sates. Freedom is all I've known. When we're so used to having it so good, we forget to give thanks. To appreciate. To take note of those who've gone before us to give us the amazing freedoms we have. I've not been extremely faithful about praying for those who are protecting our great country. I often walk pass a soldier and forget to say "thanks." I can sometimes not even give thought to why we celebrate a holiday like Veterans' Day. Perhaps, today is a reminder to do so. We live in a great nation. We are free to attend the church of our choice. We are free to have a bible. We are free to vote for our leaders. We are free.
Today, we celebrate Veterans Day. It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated, as a treaty was signed ending World War I. Today, Americans honor the service and sacrifice of our armed forces in the past and present. We understand that our freedom came with a cost. Take that moment today and give thanks for those who've gone before you for your freedoms. Take time to write a note or email to someone in the armed forces, thanking them for their service. Say "thanks" to the servicemen and women who cross your path today. Finally, thank God for this great country and for the freedoms that we have. We have so much to be grateful for! Begin this day with a grateful heart. Life may not be going for you the way you want, but you can still give thanks!
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I can't always comprehend fully the freedoms we have here in the United Sates. Freedom is all I've known. When we're so used to having it so good, we forget to give thanks. To appreciate. To take note of those who've gone before us to give us the amazing freedoms we have. I've not been extremely faithful about praying for those who are protecting our great country. I often walk pass a soldier and forget to say "thanks." I can sometimes not even give thought to why we celebrate a holiday like Veterans' Day. Perhaps, today is a reminder to do so. We live in a great nation. We are free to attend the church of our choice. We are free to have a bible. We are free to vote for our leaders. We are free.
Today, we celebrate Veterans Day. It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month in 1918 when the world celebrated, as a treaty was signed ending World War I. Today, Americans honor the service and sacrifice of our armed forces in the past and present. We understand that our freedom came with a cost. Take that moment today and give thanks for those who've gone before you for your freedoms. Take time to write a note or email to someone in the armed forces, thanking them for their service. Say "thanks" to the servicemen and women who cross your path today. Finally, thank God for this great country and for the freedoms that we have. We have so much to be grateful for! Begin this day with a grateful heart. Life may not be going for you the way you want, but you can still give thanks!
"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
The Power of a Cookie
I went to prison this past weekend. Dolph Briscoe Prison in Dilley, Texas. Barred windows. High walls. Barbed wire. Razor circular wire at the top of the fences for prison security. Not a pleasant place.
This past weekend, my husband and I served on a KAIROS weekend. Our volunteer team of men hosted 42 inmates over the course of a weekend. In addition, a group of us women worked in an old gas station transformed into a kitchen in downtown Dilley. Preparing meals. Packing cookies. Praying for inmates. Enjoying the reports each evening from our team of guys.
The inmates came that weekend with an assortment of emotions...anger, hatred, apathy, loneliness, depression, and without hope. They learned about the gift of forgiveness. They saw God's love demonstrated in countless tangible ways. As the weekend went on, the prison was transformed with laughter, hugs, dancing, singing, praying, honest conversations and visible hope. Can you imagine over 100 men (volunteers and inmates) linking arms, singing to the top of their lungs "Lean on Me?" In one little weekend, that cold, dark prison gym was turned into a place of hope. Hope in God and love for one another.
Some of the inmates desire to be a part of the weekend for one thing- cookies. We bring in thousands of cookies during our KAIROS weekend. Yummy chocolate chip cookies. These guys never get cookies. We pack them in bags of 9. Each day they get a bag. Can you imagine what it feels like to receive a bag of fresh cookies? These guys feel loved. Love through a bag of cookies. The cookies also become a tool of restoring relationships. One night, the inmates are given a second bag of cookies and told to share the bag with someone they've wronged and ask forgiveness. Finally, the cookies are dispensed to all 1300 inmates, including maximum security inmates. As our guys left the prison one night, they passed a group of inmates playing soccer. The inmates yelled out "Cookies! Cookies! Thanks for the cookies! The power of a cookie.
If you're reading this, you're probably not prison. You are not confined to a cell. You have a life and are free. But sometimes, you may still live like you're in prison. Confined. Angry. Hurt. Not forgiving those you need to forgive. Not making wrongs right. Messed up relationships. Today is a new start. Start up! Realize God's love for you Then, go and love others. You don't even need a bag of cookies. Just affirm them. Notice them. Care about them. And if need be, forgive them. Never forget, there are a lot of prisoners walking around in the free world. God comes to set the prisoners free.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
This past weekend, my husband and I served on a KAIROS weekend. Our volunteer team of men hosted 42 inmates over the course of a weekend. In addition, a group of us women worked in an old gas station transformed into a kitchen in downtown Dilley. Preparing meals. Packing cookies. Praying for inmates. Enjoying the reports each evening from our team of guys.
The inmates came that weekend with an assortment of emotions...anger, hatred, apathy, loneliness, depression, and without hope. They learned about the gift of forgiveness. They saw God's love demonstrated in countless tangible ways. As the weekend went on, the prison was transformed with laughter, hugs, dancing, singing, praying, honest conversations and visible hope. Can you imagine over 100 men (volunteers and inmates) linking arms, singing to the top of their lungs "Lean on Me?" In one little weekend, that cold, dark prison gym was turned into a place of hope. Hope in God and love for one another.
Some of the inmates desire to be a part of the weekend for one thing- cookies. We bring in thousands of cookies during our KAIROS weekend. Yummy chocolate chip cookies. These guys never get cookies. We pack them in bags of 9. Each day they get a bag. Can you imagine what it feels like to receive a bag of fresh cookies? These guys feel loved. Love through a bag of cookies. The cookies also become a tool of restoring relationships. One night, the inmates are given a second bag of cookies and told to share the bag with someone they've wronged and ask forgiveness. Finally, the cookies are dispensed to all 1300 inmates, including maximum security inmates. As our guys left the prison one night, they passed a group of inmates playing soccer. The inmates yelled out "Cookies! Cookies! Thanks for the cookies! The power of a cookie.
If you're reading this, you're probably not prison. You are not confined to a cell. You have a life and are free. But sometimes, you may still live like you're in prison. Confined. Angry. Hurt. Not forgiving those you need to forgive. Not making wrongs right. Messed up relationships. Today is a new start. Start up! Realize God's love for you Then, go and love others. You don't even need a bag of cookies. Just affirm them. Notice them. Care about them. And if need be, forgive them. Never forget, there are a lot of prisoners walking around in the free world. God comes to set the prisoners free.
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Friday, October 4, 2013
When I Relax I Feel Guilty
I finally felt a twinge of fall in the air in South Texas last weekend. Cooler temps. Rain in the forecast. The day was made for nesting. At home, that is. No appointments. No demands. Just pure nesting. Such a day demanded pulling out the smelly pumpkin candles and dragging out the festive fall decorations. Nesting wasn't complete without making two pans of yummy pumpkin bread. I love those kind of days...where you have nothing really scheduled and can allow the day to fritter away.
The art of doing nothing is quite an art. If perfectly honest, many of us have a hard time taking time to do what we enjoy. Reading a book. Lounging at home. Taking a nap. Calling an old friend. Baking cookies. Snuggling with your pooch or kitty. Playing games with your family. We simply have a hard time chilling. Years ago, Tim Hansel wrote a book called "What I Relax I Feel Guilty." It seems that many of us might live by that title.
In recent years, I've begun to understand the importance of stopping and embracing the gift of rest and relaxation. Even God thought rest was a good idea! In the bible, He declared the seventh day of the week a day of rest. Just think..."The first thing the Bible ever declared holy was not an object or a place, but a "time," a twenty-four-hour period called Sabbath. "(Lance Witt, Replenish)
Most of us work hard during the week. WE must learn that it's good to take a "time out" and rest, enjoying the good gifts that God has given us. Richard Swenson said it best "We must have some room to breathe. WE need freedom to think and permission to heal. Our relationships are starved to death by velocity. No one has the time to listen, let alone love...is God now pro-exhaustion? Doesn't he lead people beside the still waters anymore?" It would seem to me that God tries to lead us beside the still waters, but we don't always want to go. We feel like we need to be doing something productive. Why do we throw such guilt upon ourselves?
Peter Scazzero in his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, has a great template for practicing the Sabbath: 1. "Stop. Put productivity on hold for twenty-four hours. 2. Rest. For some of us the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap. 3. Delight. Isaiah 58 talks about enjoying and delighting in Sabbath. Sabbath is a day to enjoy what God created. 4. Contemplate. Take time to "be" with God."
I have a feeling that we would be far better in our jobs if we took the Sabbath seriously and enjoyed a well deserved break. Give yourself permission. God wants to give you the rest that no one else will!
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The art of doing nothing is quite an art. If perfectly honest, many of us have a hard time taking time to do what we enjoy. Reading a book. Lounging at home. Taking a nap. Calling an old friend. Baking cookies. Snuggling with your pooch or kitty. Playing games with your family. We simply have a hard time chilling. Years ago, Tim Hansel wrote a book called "What I Relax I Feel Guilty." It seems that many of us might live by that title.
In recent years, I've begun to understand the importance of stopping and embracing the gift of rest and relaxation. Even God thought rest was a good idea! In the bible, He declared the seventh day of the week a day of rest. Just think..."The first thing the Bible ever declared holy was not an object or a place, but a "time," a twenty-four-hour period called Sabbath. "(Lance Witt, Replenish)
Most of us work hard during the week. WE must learn that it's good to take a "time out" and rest, enjoying the good gifts that God has given us. Richard Swenson said it best "We must have some room to breathe. WE need freedom to think and permission to heal. Our relationships are starved to death by velocity. No one has the time to listen, let alone love...is God now pro-exhaustion? Doesn't he lead people beside the still waters anymore?" It would seem to me that God tries to lead us beside the still waters, but we don't always want to go. We feel like we need to be doing something productive. Why do we throw such guilt upon ourselves?
Peter Scazzero in his book, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, has a great template for practicing the Sabbath: 1. "Stop. Put productivity on hold for twenty-four hours. 2. Rest. For some of us the most spiritual thing we can do is take a nap. 3. Delight. Isaiah 58 talks about enjoying and delighting in Sabbath. Sabbath is a day to enjoy what God created. 4. Contemplate. Take time to "be" with God."
I have a feeling that we would be far better in our jobs if we took the Sabbath seriously and enjoyed a well deserved break. Give yourself permission. God wants to give you the rest that no one else will!
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
A Life of Integrity
When was the last time you shocked someone by doing the right thing? While shopping at HEB, I've been known to walk out of the store, get to my car and realize I have an unpaid item still lurking in the far corner of my cart. I grumble to myself and make my way back to the cashier with the item. Often, I get a response like "Thank you so much! You are so kind to bring it back!" Perhaps you, too, have experienced first-hand how people are shocked by you doing the right thing.
Isn't it sad that we live in a world where people are more shocked by people demonstrating integrity than the lack of it? Every day, we are confronted in the news of people who have done the wrong thing. Maybe it's a professional athlete that you look up to. Perhaps, it's a politician that you had supported. A businessmen caught cheating on his customers. Even Christian leaders have been found embezzling, visiting with prostitutes, or taking drugs. No longer are we surprised by such actions.
It's very easy for us to "cast stones" at those who make obvious wrong choices. We are quick to judge their actions. We do it without a thought. In fact, probably in the last few months, most of us have had an opinion of a certain sports figure located in College Station. It's easy to judge. But, how easy is it for you and me to be a person of integrity?
Practicing integrity means that your behavior matches your beliefs. (Craig Groeschel, Altar Ego) Integrity is defined as a state of being whole. Undivided. Complete. Synonyms of integrity are honesty and unity. Every day, we are given a choice to live, act and speak with integrity. In our social circumstances, for example, we often present ourselves in the best possible light, so as to appear how others want us to be. That, my friend, is a mask. It's not who you really are, but who you're pretending to be. Far from integrity.
If people who know you were asked to describe you with 5 different qualities, would integrity be one of them? Wouldn't it be wonderful to be known as a man or woman of integrity? Stop the white lies. No more cheating. Be honest with your spouse. Demonstrate integrity in your work life. Don't exaggerate your stories. No lying on the resume. Make a difference by living a life of integrity.
"Integrity doesn't come in degrees: low, medium, or high. You either have integrity or you don't." Tony Dungy
"May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21
Nancy Abbott is Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Isn't it sad that we live in a world where people are more shocked by people demonstrating integrity than the lack of it? Every day, we are confronted in the news of people who have done the wrong thing. Maybe it's a professional athlete that you look up to. Perhaps, it's a politician that you had supported. A businessmen caught cheating on his customers. Even Christian leaders have been found embezzling, visiting with prostitutes, or taking drugs. No longer are we surprised by such actions.
It's very easy for us to "cast stones" at those who make obvious wrong choices. We are quick to judge their actions. We do it without a thought. In fact, probably in the last few months, most of us have had an opinion of a certain sports figure located in College Station. It's easy to judge. But, how easy is it for you and me to be a person of integrity?
Practicing integrity means that your behavior matches your beliefs. (Craig Groeschel, Altar Ego) Integrity is defined as a state of being whole. Undivided. Complete. Synonyms of integrity are honesty and unity. Every day, we are given a choice to live, act and speak with integrity. In our social circumstances, for example, we often present ourselves in the best possible light, so as to appear how others want us to be. That, my friend, is a mask. It's not who you really are, but who you're pretending to be. Far from integrity.
If people who know you were asked to describe you with 5 different qualities, would integrity be one of them? Wouldn't it be wonderful to be known as a man or woman of integrity? Stop the white lies. No more cheating. Be honest with your spouse. Demonstrate integrity in your work life. Don't exaggerate your stories. No lying on the resume. Make a difference by living a life of integrity.
"Integrity doesn't come in degrees: low, medium, or high. You either have integrity or you don't." Tony Dungy
"May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you." Psalm 25:21
Nancy Abbott is Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
A Picture of Unconditional Love
Last week, something showed up on Facebook that will forever be etched in my mind. The picture told more than a thousand words. Picture with me seeing a cute loveable cuddly 10-month old baby boy wrapping his arms around a 50-something woman. The woman, however, seemed to be staring off into the distance, limp, with no expression. Here is what the caption read:
"If you ever wondered what unconditional love looked like, here is a picture. This is Kevin Fay, giving his Grandma Lori a big hug. Lori has Young Onset Alzheimer's disease. She can't hold Kevin, say his name, sing him a song, read him a book or bake him a cookie. Kevin doesn't care. The second he is held in Lori's lap, he hugs Lori with his whole body and soul. I think it was Jesus who said if anyone wanted to truly comprehend God's kingdom of love, all one needed to do was pay attention to the way little children lived their lives. I think I'll pay attention to Kevin more closely." Gil Wesley
Gil, Lori's husband, a former All-American football center from Florida State, has walked a tough road. His college sweetheart and first wife, Debbie, died of brain cancer in her thirties, leaving behind two small children. Now, Lori, lives in a care facility in Chico, California, where Young Onset Alzheimer's has taken over her life. Here is one guy who has experienced his share of pain in life. Yet, on Facebook, he's giving us a glimpse of what really matters. A teachable moment, if you will, for all to see. Priceless.
Someone posted below the picture "How can a picture break my heart and warm me all the way to my bones at the same time?" Someone else wrote "Thanks for catching God working in Kevin and sharing it with us all." Another friend wrote Gil, it behooves all of us to see, grasp and embrace this unadulterated love of a child. It's true....kids really are, in their unique way, powerful, genuine and lovely in moments like this."
Could it be that we get so caught up in our own adult world that we forget the simplicity and unconditional love of a child? As we "grow up", do we lose the freedom to simply love with no conditions? We can learn so much from a child. Go ahead, reach out and love freely today. Really love. No strings attached love. Become like a child.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
"If you ever wondered what unconditional love looked like, here is a picture. This is Kevin Fay, giving his Grandma Lori a big hug. Lori has Young Onset Alzheimer's disease. She can't hold Kevin, say his name, sing him a song, read him a book or bake him a cookie. Kevin doesn't care. The second he is held in Lori's lap, he hugs Lori with his whole body and soul. I think it was Jesus who said if anyone wanted to truly comprehend God's kingdom of love, all one needed to do was pay attention to the way little children lived their lives. I think I'll pay attention to Kevin more closely." Gil Wesley
Gil, Lori's husband, a former All-American football center from Florida State, has walked a tough road. His college sweetheart and first wife, Debbie, died of brain cancer in her thirties, leaving behind two small children. Now, Lori, lives in a care facility in Chico, California, where Young Onset Alzheimer's has taken over her life. Here is one guy who has experienced his share of pain in life. Yet, on Facebook, he's giving us a glimpse of what really matters. A teachable moment, if you will, for all to see. Priceless.
Someone posted below the picture "How can a picture break my heart and warm me all the way to my bones at the same time?" Someone else wrote "Thanks for catching God working in Kevin and sharing it with us all." Another friend wrote Gil, it behooves all of us to see, grasp and embrace this unadulterated love of a child. It's true....kids really are, in their unique way, powerful, genuine and lovely in moments like this."
Could it be that we get so caught up in our own adult world that we forget the simplicity and unconditional love of a child? As we "grow up", do we lose the freedom to simply love with no conditions? We can learn so much from a child. Go ahead, reach out and love freely today. Really love. No strings attached love. Become like a child.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio
Daring Greatly
Think about the last time you felt really vulnerable. For most of us, it's one of those roads we least like to travel. Who wants to live open to others so they can see the real deal? We'd much rather slap on a smile, say "I'm fine," even when we're struggling beneath the surface. Sadly, most of us view vulnerability as weakness. We've been taught that are entire life.
Recently, I heard Dr. Brene' Brown speak at Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit. Dr. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston-Graduate College of Social Work. She is an expert in shame and vulnerability. Her most recent book, Daring Greatly, "means the courage to be vulnerable. To show up and be seen. To ask for what you need, to talk about what you're feeling. To have the hard conversations." This past week, she was interviewed on Oprah about vulnerability.
Most of us aren't good at vulnerability. We think back to our vulnerable moments in life and cringe. They weren't fun. Dr. Brown, in her research, talked to many people about their most vulnerable moments. Some of them were "The first date after my divorce. Trying to get pregnant after my third miscarriage. Sitting with my wife, who has stage 4 breast cancer, making plans for our children. Picking up the phone to call someone who has just experienced a great loss."
So often, we avoid at all costs the things that cause the most vulnerability. What if you did pick up the phone and talk to someone who has experienced a loss? Wouldn't that feel amazing after they thanked you over and over for calling? Taking that risk and facing into someone's pain is courageous.
Sadly, we've experienced critics in life that have had the power to keep us from being truly vulnerable. They've had way too much power in our lives. As time goes on, we slowly attach a mask that can grow thicker and thicker. Have you ever thought about how crazy it is to evaluate your identity based on the reactions of others around you? Yet, we regularly do just that.
Consider that the God who created you loves you more than anyone on the face of the earth. Nothing you can ever do will ever change his love for you. You have people in your life who love you and are FOR you. Why be so consumed about what other people think? Think about how your life might change if you dared greatly to be vulnerable. To be who you really are. It takes courage. Dare greatly.
"It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood: who strives valiantly.... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly." Theodore Roosevelt
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Recently, I heard Dr. Brene' Brown speak at Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit. Dr. Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston-Graduate College of Social Work. She is an expert in shame and vulnerability. Her most recent book, Daring Greatly, "means the courage to be vulnerable. To show up and be seen. To ask for what you need, to talk about what you're feeling. To have the hard conversations." This past week, she was interviewed on Oprah about vulnerability.
Most of us aren't good at vulnerability. We think back to our vulnerable moments in life and cringe. They weren't fun. Dr. Brown, in her research, talked to many people about their most vulnerable moments. Some of them were "The first date after my divorce. Trying to get pregnant after my third miscarriage. Sitting with my wife, who has stage 4 breast cancer, making plans for our children. Picking up the phone to call someone who has just experienced a great loss."
So often, we avoid at all costs the things that cause the most vulnerability. What if you did pick up the phone and talk to someone who has experienced a loss? Wouldn't that feel amazing after they thanked you over and over for calling? Taking that risk and facing into someone's pain is courageous.
Sadly, we've experienced critics in life that have had the power to keep us from being truly vulnerable. They've had way too much power in our lives. As time goes on, we slowly attach a mask that can grow thicker and thicker. Have you ever thought about how crazy it is to evaluate your identity based on the reactions of others around you? Yet, we regularly do just that.
Consider that the God who created you loves you more than anyone on the face of the earth. Nothing you can ever do will ever change his love for you. You have people in your life who love you and are FOR you. Why be so consumed about what other people think? Think about how your life might change if you dared greatly to be vulnerable. To be who you really are. It takes courage. Dare greatly.
"It's not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood: who strives valiantly.... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly." Theodore Roosevelt
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
A Fresh Start!
Summer is officially over. We say goodbye to the pool, family vacations, long days and freedom from school work. We say hello to a new year of school, slower traffic, and new routines. It is a time of both beginnings and endings. Some mourn the passage of summer. Others welcome the initiation of fall. There's something about this back-to-school season that makes us all excited about the possibility of a fresh start. For adults, starting this fall season is in a way like starting a mini-new year!
So, as you think about this new fall season, what would you like to see happen in your life? What would you like to change? What would you like to start? This fall is a great time to kick-start your life and make your own personal changes. What kind of attitude adjustment do you need? What relationship needs work? What family member do you need to reach out to? Where do you need to adjust to have a healthy work-life balance? As you consider the fall season, what would you like to see different in your life?
It would be my prayer that each of us would take a few minutes to pause and consider our lives. Talk to God about your life. What adjustments need to be made? How can God help me in my quest to change? For me, one of the goals I have is to be more and more surrendered to God. To not resist when I feel like resisting. Yep, I want to trust God big time for this!
Don't give in to the same ole' patterns of behavior. Believe you can change. Say no to a complaining spirit. Stop worrying. Give up fearing the future. Reconcile with a family member or friend. Forgive the person you need to forgive. God is able to help you! He longs to help make you whole and give you a fresh new start. Isaiah 43:18-19 says "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new. Now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
Nancy Abbott in the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
So, as you think about this new fall season, what would you like to see happen in your life? What would you like to change? What would you like to start? This fall is a great time to kick-start your life and make your own personal changes. What kind of attitude adjustment do you need? What relationship needs work? What family member do you need to reach out to? Where do you need to adjust to have a healthy work-life balance? As you consider the fall season, what would you like to see different in your life?
It would be my prayer that each of us would take a few minutes to pause and consider our lives. Talk to God about your life. What adjustments need to be made? How can God help me in my quest to change? For me, one of the goals I have is to be more and more surrendered to God. To not resist when I feel like resisting. Yep, I want to trust God big time for this!
Don't give in to the same ole' patterns of behavior. Believe you can change. Say no to a complaining spirit. Stop worrying. Give up fearing the future. Reconcile with a family member or friend. Forgive the person you need to forgive. God is able to help you! He longs to help make you whole and give you a fresh new start. Isaiah 43:18-19 says "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new. Now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert."
Nancy Abbott in the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
A Back-To-School Prayer
Back to school time has its effects on everyone. For a parent, one can feel a combination of stress, anxiety, fear, excitement, sadness and joy. For a kid, there are all sorts of feelings...happiness, dread, with a bit of fear and trepidation mixed in. For drivers, we learn patience as traffic becomes crazy and white signs with a blinking 25 return. For the stores? Well, they basically want your back-to-school bucks. For teachers? We know you could go either way.
Back to school is a pretty memorable time. Most of us have tucked away a picture of our first day of school. Little did we know as a kid, how stressful and emotional it can be for a parent! As we grow older and experience more of life, we realize the enormity of all that takes place in one school year.
Some of our YMCA's are going to take some moments in the coming week to offer up prayers for parents and their kids. We want you to know that our Y cares about you and your family! We are dedicated to praying for you and your children as you begin the school year. Since we are not going to reach every parent and child, why not take a moment and pray this prayer right now on behalf of our kids, parents and teachers?
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for the gift of summer and the freedoms that make summer special. As we transition to fall, we pray for every boy and girl, young man and young woman who will be entering school or college this fall. We ask, Lord, that you would bless their school year in every way, for a positive learning experience, great friendships and wonderful teachers. We pray for their mind, body and spirit to mature. I specifically want to lift up those that are near and dear to me going back to school either as a teacher or child. (Mention by name.) Father, we pray for safety and protection for all our students and teachers both here and around the country. We pray against evil of any kind. We thank you that you love our children more than we ever could. We entrust them to your care. We pray for all teachers and administrators as they prepare for the year. Give them wisdom, strength, enthusiasm and love for their children. We pray for those who serve in day care and after school programs, that you would bless their efforts as well. Thank you, Lord, for a new season before us! We ask it will be an amazing year for all of us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Back to school is a pretty memorable time. Most of us have tucked away a picture of our first day of school. Little did we know as a kid, how stressful and emotional it can be for a parent! As we grow older and experience more of life, we realize the enormity of all that takes place in one school year.
Some of our YMCA's are going to take some moments in the coming week to offer up prayers for parents and their kids. We want you to know that our Y cares about you and your family! We are dedicated to praying for you and your children as you begin the school year. Since we are not going to reach every parent and child, why not take a moment and pray this prayer right now on behalf of our kids, parents and teachers?
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so much for the gift of summer and the freedoms that make summer special. As we transition to fall, we pray for every boy and girl, young man and young woman who will be entering school or college this fall. We ask, Lord, that you would bless their school year in every way, for a positive learning experience, great friendships and wonderful teachers. We pray for their mind, body and spirit to mature. I specifically want to lift up those that are near and dear to me going back to school either as a teacher or child. (Mention by name.) Father, we pray for safety and protection for all our students and teachers both here and around the country. We pray against evil of any kind. We thank you that you love our children more than we ever could. We entrust them to your care. We pray for all teachers and administrators as they prepare for the year. Give them wisdom, strength, enthusiasm and love for their children. We pray for those who serve in day care and after school programs, that you would bless their efforts as well. Thank you, Lord, for a new season before us! We ask it will be an amazing year for all of us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Patience on the Guadelupe
Kayaks loaded on top of car? Check. Dog in car? Check. Starbucks run. Check. Off we go to the Guadalupe State Park for a day on the river. There's nothing quite like getting out on the river early on a summer morning. So peaceful. So quiet. So beautiful. Ben and I kayaked down the river with our dog perched at the front of the kayak in her own hand-designed doggie perch. In a little while, we decided to dock at a spot where the fish seem to party. Then, Gracie Lou, our beloved 12-year old English Springer, quickly transformed into Fisher-Dog! Her job (she thinks) is to follow my husband step by step out into the water, barking incessantly to hopefully get those fishies to come up out of the water and play with her. Of course, my husband, an avid fisherman, laments at her antics, but can't help but bring her along. She is one spoiled mutt.
I can't help but wonder how many fish we would catch if Gracie Lou would just STOP barking. (Did I say she is deaf and doesn't hear herself?) She loves fishing so much that she can't seem to be still, quiet and wait patiently for the fish to come out. In her mind, she thinks that the barking will make things happen quicker. When the fish DO make an appearance, you can be sure she is right there to help them off the lure.
Gracie Lou hasn't learned the ways of fishing. Gracie Lou lacks patience. She wants what she wants NOW. It's easy to live reacting to our impulses, just like Gracie Lou. We make decisions as if this moment is the only thing that matters. We can live with the mindsets "It's my life; I can do whatever I want." "If it feels good, do it." "Have it my way...I deserve it." If you observe the culture around, you see this everywhere. Anger at a restaurant because the food is a tad delayed. The driver in the car behind you becoming unglued on the freeway. Or making a monumental rash decision that affects a lifetime. Somehow, we have become way too important...and shortsighted. Our egos of entitlement tell us that we deserve to get what we want when we want it.
Patience is not easy for me. But, I desire to be a more patient person. It takes effort to think, pray and ask God to slow me down. I have asked Him to show me when I'm impatient...to make me aware of when I become ego-driven with my agenda. And He does. Instead of demanding what I want when I want it, I learn that God teaches me so much in the waiting period. Proverbs 16:32 says "Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." Ask God to give you opportunities to practice patience this week. With God's help we CAN change.
"Patience is the companion of wisdom." Saint Augustine
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I can't help but wonder how many fish we would catch if Gracie Lou would just STOP barking. (Did I say she is deaf and doesn't hear herself?) She loves fishing so much that she can't seem to be still, quiet and wait patiently for the fish to come out. In her mind, she thinks that the barking will make things happen quicker. When the fish DO make an appearance, you can be sure she is right there to help them off the lure.
Gracie Lou hasn't learned the ways of fishing. Gracie Lou lacks patience. She wants what she wants NOW. It's easy to live reacting to our impulses, just like Gracie Lou. We make decisions as if this moment is the only thing that matters. We can live with the mindsets "It's my life; I can do whatever I want." "If it feels good, do it." "Have it my way...I deserve it." If you observe the culture around, you see this everywhere. Anger at a restaurant because the food is a tad delayed. The driver in the car behind you becoming unglued on the freeway. Or making a monumental rash decision that affects a lifetime. Somehow, we have become way too important...and shortsighted. Our egos of entitlement tell us that we deserve to get what we want when we want it.
Patience is not easy for me. But, I desire to be a more patient person. It takes effort to think, pray and ask God to slow me down. I have asked Him to show me when I'm impatient...to make me aware of when I become ego-driven with my agenda. And He does. Instead of demanding what I want when I want it, I learn that God teaches me so much in the waiting period. Proverbs 16:32 says "Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city." Ask God to give you opportunities to practice patience this week. With God's help we CAN change.
"Patience is the companion of wisdom." Saint Augustine
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Beat the Heat!
It was just a few months ago, when we were regularly saying the phrase "Beat the Heat." Since the temps have been edging upwards here in San Antonio, we have a new meaning for the words "Beat the heat." Summers in Texas are notorious for being brutal at times. Sometimes, even the native Texan has been known to complain about the heat.
How can we embrace the season and appreciate it for what it is? For me, I try a variety of things. Lots of swimming outdoors. Cycling super-early on the weekend and being done early! Watering my half-alive flowers while standing in the sprinkler myself. Going kayaking. Going to movies. Vacations in August. Ceiling fans. Watching pre-season football, knowing the season is just around the corner.
We can also beat the heat by our attitude. Sometimes, we forget the reality that you and I have the privilege of being alive on this planet...at this time. Life is a gift and what a joy to live it, albeit in the summer or winter. Anton Chekhov once said "People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy." I love how summer is a different pace, one in which invites us to truly slow down. Who doesn't need that? As I slow down, I take time to plan for summer fun, not just get through summer.
Texas summers are but one minor bump in our lives. How do we respond to some of the bumps that life throws our way? Some of you today are carrying some pretty significant burdens in life. For all intense purposes, it's hard to find any blessing in your burden. Look hard. Look up. Know that God cares for you and loves you so very much. He will never fail you. Learn to thank God for the difficulties that come your way. Look for the blessings. There are often some really amazing blessings lurking under some of our deepest struggles.
So, yes, we may suffer with a bit of heat for the next few weeks....or even months. But, don't forget to look for the blessings. Quite complaining. Your complaints will not change a thing. You change! If anything, thank God for the gift of being alive.... here and now. Then, thank God for Willis Haviland Carrier. He created the first-large scale electrical air conditioner.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
How can we embrace the season and appreciate it for what it is? For me, I try a variety of things. Lots of swimming outdoors. Cycling super-early on the weekend and being done early! Watering my half-alive flowers while standing in the sprinkler myself. Going kayaking. Going to movies. Vacations in August. Ceiling fans. Watching pre-season football, knowing the season is just around the corner.
We can also beat the heat by our attitude. Sometimes, we forget the reality that you and I have the privilege of being alive on this planet...at this time. Life is a gift and what a joy to live it, albeit in the summer or winter. Anton Chekhov once said "People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy." I love how summer is a different pace, one in which invites us to truly slow down. Who doesn't need that? As I slow down, I take time to plan for summer fun, not just get through summer.
Texas summers are but one minor bump in our lives. How do we respond to some of the bumps that life throws our way? Some of you today are carrying some pretty significant burdens in life. For all intense purposes, it's hard to find any blessing in your burden. Look hard. Look up. Know that God cares for you and loves you so very much. He will never fail you. Learn to thank God for the difficulties that come your way. Look for the blessings. There are often some really amazing blessings lurking under some of our deepest struggles.
So, yes, we may suffer with a bit of heat for the next few weeks....or even months. But, don't forget to look for the blessings. Quite complaining. Your complaints will not change a thing. You change! If anything, thank God for the gift of being alive.... here and now. Then, thank God for Willis Haviland Carrier. He created the first-large scale electrical air conditioner.
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Negative Thinking
Sometimes our minds can play really bad tricks on us. We can pretty easily run an ongoing dialogue in our minds that is pretty negative...about ourselves. You won't get the job! You're not that good at that! You can never lose weight. You're invisible. You're never going to get better. Why did you say that? Thoughts run amuck.
For me, negative thinking can jump into my brain faster than a blink of an eye. If I don't capture those thoughts quickly, I start to believe a bunch of things that aren't necessarily true. Toxic thoughts are very dangerous. They leave no room for truth. They settle into the deep processes of our mind and can suck the life right out of us.
The other day, my husband challenged me with some negative thinking. I bemoaned to him my crazy thinking that "I can never seem to win at...." First and foremost, he said "What do you mean win? What makes you think you have to win?" You see, I had allowed some destructive thinking to wreak havoc in my mind. Doubts, anxiety and insecurity reign as I allow such stinkin' thinkin' to settle in and make its home.
So, what's a good solution? Feeling blue, I was sitting in the parking lot at the Braundera Y waiting for a meeting. All at once a song came on. A Casting Crowns song I had heard countless times. This time, I feverishly wrote down the words. "But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me. reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed. The giant keeps on telling me time and time again "Boy you'll never win! You'll never win!" But the voice of truth tells me a different story. The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory." Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth."
God met me at the moment I needed him that day. He gave me a song. He gave me truth. I had to stop my runaway thinking. It had become toxic to my soul. Hey....you and I need to be able to hold our thoughts to a higher standard. For me, God's word breathes life into me. As I take in God's word, it leads to peace, not anxiety. Freedom to pour love on others, not be consumed with myself. Let's listen to the voice of truth today.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8
"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 3:27
Nancy B. Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
For me, negative thinking can jump into my brain faster than a blink of an eye. If I don't capture those thoughts quickly, I start to believe a bunch of things that aren't necessarily true. Toxic thoughts are very dangerous. They leave no room for truth. They settle into the deep processes of our mind and can suck the life right out of us.
The other day, my husband challenged me with some negative thinking. I bemoaned to him my crazy thinking that "I can never seem to win at...." First and foremost, he said "What do you mean win? What makes you think you have to win?" You see, I had allowed some destructive thinking to wreak havoc in my mind. Doubts, anxiety and insecurity reign as I allow such stinkin' thinkin' to settle in and make its home.
So, what's a good solution? Feeling blue, I was sitting in the parking lot at the Braundera Y waiting for a meeting. All at once a song came on. A Casting Crowns song I had heard countless times. This time, I feverishly wrote down the words. "But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me. reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed. The giant keeps on telling me time and time again "Boy you'll never win! You'll never win!" But the voice of truth tells me a different story. The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!" And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory." Out of all the voices calling out to me I would choose to listen and believe the voice of truth."
God met me at the moment I needed him that day. He gave me a song. He gave me truth. I had to stop my runaway thinking. It had become toxic to my soul. Hey....you and I need to be able to hold our thoughts to a higher standard. For me, God's word breathes life into me. As I take in God's word, it leads to peace, not anxiety. Freedom to pour love on others, not be consumed with myself. Let's listen to the voice of truth today.
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things." Philippians 4:8
"As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 3:27
Nancy B. Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Madonna and Ego
I'm fascinated by a quote I recently read from Madonna: "My drive in life comes from a fear of being mediocre. That is always pushing me. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being but then I feel I am still mediocre and uninteresting unless I do something else. Because even though I have become somebody. I still have to prove that I am somebody. My struggle has never ended and I guess it never will." (Timothy Keller, The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness)
So, think of it... Madonna has more than most of us can ever imagine. Madonna would be considered "successful" in the world's eyes. Madonna is known for continuously reinventing both her music and image over and over again. She has sold over 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. Madonna has made it. Right?
But there's a problem. Madonna, like so many of us, sees her sense of self, her desire for self-worth, as not fulfilled She is still trying to be somebody special. No matter what great concert she had the night before, the next morning, she needs to do something else. Madonna's ego is like a black hole. Nothing satisfies.
Can you relate to Madonna? Maybe our egos are like black holes as well. We can be so consumed in our minds with trying to be "somebody" and feel happy if we outdo someone else...whether it be in our position, our prestige, our possessions or accomplishments. Somehow, it just feels good. Do we just live life always looking for that elusive 'stamp of approval?' Even Madonna, despite all her fame, has not found the ultimate approval she is looking for.
If I look to people for a positive verdict about myself, sooner or later I will be disappointed. I may go for years and feel like I've won the approval and accolades from people, only to find it can change in a heartbeat. I've come to realize that I cannot look to the world around me to give me the kudos I need. Only God's opinion matters. Really. Only God. He loves you. He cares for you. He longs to have a relationship with you. He is FOR you. No one else will love or approve of you like God.
"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich, or cleverer or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else become equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
So, think of it... Madonna has more than most of us can ever imagine. Madonna would be considered "successful" in the world's eyes. Madonna is known for continuously reinventing both her music and image over and over again. She has sold over 300 million records worldwide and is recognized as the best-selling female recording artist of all time by Guinness World Records. Madonna has made it. Right?
But there's a problem. Madonna, like so many of us, sees her sense of self, her desire for self-worth, as not fulfilled She is still trying to be somebody special. No matter what great concert she had the night before, the next morning, she needs to do something else. Madonna's ego is like a black hole. Nothing satisfies.
Can you relate to Madonna? Maybe our egos are like black holes as well. We can be so consumed in our minds with trying to be "somebody" and feel happy if we outdo someone else...whether it be in our position, our prestige, our possessions or accomplishments. Somehow, it just feels good. Do we just live life always looking for that elusive 'stamp of approval?' Even Madonna, despite all her fame, has not found the ultimate approval she is looking for.
If I look to people for a positive verdict about myself, sooner or later I will be disappointed. I may go for years and feel like I've won the approval and accolades from people, only to find it can change in a heartbeat. I've come to realize that I cannot look to the world around me to give me the kudos I need. Only God's opinion matters. Really. Only God. He loves you. He cares for you. He longs to have a relationship with you. He is FOR you. No one else will love or approve of you like God.
"Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich, or cleverer or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else become equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Am I Really Listening?
My husband tells me I don't always hear everything he says. I'm hoping I'm not losing a bit of my hearing, but suffice it to say, I'm not always the best listener. Frankly, I think all of us, if honest, would admit that we lack in listening skills. Yet, if we are to hold high the value of "respecting one another" we would do well to sharpen our listening skills.
Why don't we tend to be good listeners in general? There's lots of reasons! I know that sometimes I'm guilty of thinking about how I'm going to respond, while at the same time trying to listen to someone. Not good. Often, I'm just so excited to get my two cents in that I cut the other person off. Really not good. We are all prone to interrupt because that's just what we do! We don't think twice doing it. Finally, I think we are so busy that interactions with people can just be "one more thing" that we have to do. We've got our eye on our phone and halfway listening to the person in front of us! Who knows? The email or text on the phone might be way more exciting that the person in front of you! Perish the thought of being the talker.
As we give the gift of respect to those around us each day, I think it would be thoughtful to refresh our listening skills. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you communicate to others: Do I hear every word they speak? Do I care when I hear? Do I judge when I hear? what do I wonder about? Why don't I ask them? Am I REALLY listening when they are talking OR am I thinking about what I will say next? Do I care for them OR do I care about their opinion of me? Do I leave them impressed OR make them feel good about themselves? Am I treating them the way I want them to treat me? Are they REALLY better off because I am in their life? (Doug Pollock, God Space)
So, let's make this a week where we work hard to give the gift of listening to those we come in contact with. Not only will you be blessed, but the person you listen to will be double-blessed.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Philippians 2:3
"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." Ralph Nichols
Why don't we tend to be good listeners in general? There's lots of reasons! I know that sometimes I'm guilty of thinking about how I'm going to respond, while at the same time trying to listen to someone. Not good. Often, I'm just so excited to get my two cents in that I cut the other person off. Really not good. We are all prone to interrupt because that's just what we do! We don't think twice doing it. Finally, I think we are so busy that interactions with people can just be "one more thing" that we have to do. We've got our eye on our phone and halfway listening to the person in front of us! Who knows? The email or text on the phone might be way more exciting that the person in front of you! Perish the thought of being the talker.
As we give the gift of respect to those around us each day, I think it would be thoughtful to refresh our listening skills. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you communicate to others: Do I hear every word they speak? Do I care when I hear? Do I judge when I hear? what do I wonder about? Why don't I ask them? Am I REALLY listening when they are talking OR am I thinking about what I will say next? Do I care for them OR do I care about their opinion of me? Do I leave them impressed OR make them feel good about themselves? Am I treating them the way I want them to treat me? Are they REALLY better off because I am in their life? (Doug Pollock, God Space)
So, let's make this a week where we work hard to give the gift of listening to those we come in contact with. Not only will you be blessed, but the person you listen to will be double-blessed.
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." Philippians 2:3
"The most basic of all human needs is the need to understand and be understood. The best way to understand people is to listen to them." Ralph Nichols
Conquering Fear
Just this last week, my husband and I spent some time in Durango, Colorado. While my husband was on a solo backpacking journey, I decided to take a half day horseback ride along the Piedra River near Pagosa Springs. The ride would cover over 13 miles along the rim of the river, with gorgeous views along the way. Our leader? Stoney, an older cowboy, who had had one leg amputated 17 years ago from a horse accident. He entertained all three of us riders along the trail with interesting stories form his life as a cowboy and history of the area.
I don't remember reading anywhere on-line warning potential riders about the steep cliffs and narrow paths we would encounter along the way. However, it wasn't long after our departure, that our little motley crew started climbing up some pretty intense trails. Soon, we were towering above the Piedra River, looking straight down about 100 yards at times. Our little trail would often fade away from the erosion, leaving little room for our horses to mark their path. Thankfully, these were some sure-footed horses! Every time, we'd hit an area of difficulty, Cowboy Stoney would say with a smile "That's the roughest area we've had....so far." Soon, we would encounter another area that was a tad scarier. Cowboy Stoney even told us about a time recently when he and his mare had encountered a bear along the path. His mare still snorts loudly as she passes that spot.
I love horses. I love mountains. And honestly, the ride was incredible. However, there were points along the way that I was pretty scared. I was involved in an accident on a mountain road in Idaho years ago and heights can still affect me. Knowing full well my horse Haley would sense my fear, I really worked hard to just sit, relax in the saddle and enjoy the ride and scenery.
Fear can grip us when we least expect it. We can actually live in fear wondering about all the 'what ifs' that could potentially happen. The French philosopher Montaigne said "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened." How true! Isn't it amazing how young children often have no fear? Yet, as time goes on in life, we see things happen and become aware of the "what ifs' of life. Many of us live paralyzed by fear.
How about you? What are you afraid of? I'm so grateful that God cares about all my fears. No matter how big or small, God wants us to bring Him all our fears. He will listen and meet us in those fears. Even David in the Bible, who went through a lot of horrible scary circumstances was able to say with confidence "The Lord is my Salvation; Of whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) Let's start our day saying NO to fear!
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
I don't remember reading anywhere on-line warning potential riders about the steep cliffs and narrow paths we would encounter along the way. However, it wasn't long after our departure, that our little motley crew started climbing up some pretty intense trails. Soon, we were towering above the Piedra River, looking straight down about 100 yards at times. Our little trail would often fade away from the erosion, leaving little room for our horses to mark their path. Thankfully, these were some sure-footed horses! Every time, we'd hit an area of difficulty, Cowboy Stoney would say with a smile "That's the roughest area we've had....so far." Soon, we would encounter another area that was a tad scarier. Cowboy Stoney even told us about a time recently when he and his mare had encountered a bear along the path. His mare still snorts loudly as she passes that spot.
I love horses. I love mountains. And honestly, the ride was incredible. However, there were points along the way that I was pretty scared. I was involved in an accident on a mountain road in Idaho years ago and heights can still affect me. Knowing full well my horse Haley would sense my fear, I really worked hard to just sit, relax in the saddle and enjoy the ride and scenery.
Fear can grip us when we least expect it. We can actually live in fear wondering about all the 'what ifs' that could potentially happen. The French philosopher Montaigne said "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened." How true! Isn't it amazing how young children often have no fear? Yet, as time goes on in life, we see things happen and become aware of the "what ifs' of life. Many of us live paralyzed by fear.
How about you? What are you afraid of? I'm so grateful that God cares about all my fears. No matter how big or small, God wants us to bring Him all our fears. He will listen and meet us in those fears. Even David in the Bible, who went through a lot of horrible scary circumstances was able to say with confidence "The Lord is my Salvation; Of whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) Let's start our day saying NO to fear!
Nancy Abbott serves as the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Love wins!
This past Friday morning, I woke up with what appeared to be
a case of the NBA Finals “Let Down” blues.
Symptoms included struggling to get out of bed. Headache.
Mopey. Little motivation.
Emotional. As I got in my car and headed
out, I realized that I wasn’t the only one who had contracted this
illness. There were a lot of other
people out there in Spur-land suffering from it too.
I had to get
perspective about this quickly. I WON’T
let a Spurs loss ruin my day! I kept thinking
to myself “It’s only a game! It’s only a game!” But, over the last three years, I’ve grown to
love the Spurs! I’ve enjoyed getting to
know the players from afar. I’ve loved
seeing the younger ones develop and grow in maturity. I admired how the older players pour into
the younger ones, conscientious about passing on their tricks of the
trade. I saw a coach that doesn’t allow
for contention, pride or arrogance on the team. I saw a team that demonstrated
the beauty and power of humility, both in how they win and how they lose. They
love one another. They respect one
another. They care for one another. They always speak well of each other. There
is something so special about this team and I believe the world has finally
taken note. It stands out far more than
winning an NBA title will ever will. It
rises above all the money that yields such power in sports. It’s called love.
I heard on the radio that the first thing Coach Pop said as
he gathered his team together after the loss was three simple words. “I love you.”
I love you guys. Can you believe
it? These last two losses must have been
so disheartening to that team. But when
a leader stands up and says those words, there is hope. Winning is not everything. Love is everything. Love wins.
Love will always, always win. Why
do you think these guys want to stay together?
Love.
Have you ever been part of a team or staff where love was
absent? You lose trust. You begin to
second guess yourself. You walk on egg
shells. You live in fear. When love is absent, fear rules. Each of us have an opportunity to be
different. In 1 John 4:18, it says “There is no fear in love, but perfect love
drives out fear.” God is calling us
to be team leaders and team members that exemplify this kind of love.
I think seeing the Spurs rise into the NBA Finals was an
amazing thing for the world to see. We
demonstrated to the world how to be a real team. We demonstrated that humility will always
reign over pride. We demonstrated that money in sports doesn’t always win, but
love does.
“Love never gives
up. Love cares more for others than for
self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t
have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a
swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t
fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel
when others grovel. Takes pleasure in
the flowering of truth. Puts up with
anything. Trusts God always. Always
looks for the best. Never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
A July 4th Prayer
In just a few short days, we will celebrate July 4th, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On that day over two centuries ago, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Each year, thousands leave their homeland to come to this great country. We are a blessed country.
Of course, because we are Americans, we love to celebrate this holiday. A day off work. Parades. Picnics. Parties. Pools. Fireworks. Prayer. Prayer? Really? Prayer is usually not the first thing we think about doing on July 4th. However, why not start? Take a few moments, and offer up the following prayer for this Independence Day:
Dear God, We have so much to be grateful for as a country! Thank you for the privilege of being an American. There is so much to thank you for today! For our forefathers who founded this great nation. Thank you, Lord. For the blessings of liberty for this generation and those to come. Thank you, Lord. For each and every person who bravely gave their lives in defense of our freedoms. Thank you, Lord. For the joy of celebrating as a country Independence Day. Thank you, Lord. For the joy of being with friends and family on this holiday. Thank you, Lord. For the patriotic songs that we sing. Thank you, Lord. For every flag that we see flying. Thank you, Lord. For those who are far from home, who on this day, sail or fly or walk in harm's way. Father, protect them. For the families of those who are far away. Father, comfort them. For those who have received the dreaded message that their loved one has died. Comfort them in their grief. Strengthen those who carry the wounds of war, visible and invisible. Be to them a sure presence.
Today, keep us all grounded not in our strength but in yours, relying on the promise that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (partially adapted from "A Prayer on Independence Day, Mark L. Tidd, Chief of Navy Chaplains)
Nancy B. Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Of course, because we are Americans, we love to celebrate this holiday. A day off work. Parades. Picnics. Parties. Pools. Fireworks. Prayer. Prayer? Really? Prayer is usually not the first thing we think about doing on July 4th. However, why not start? Take a few moments, and offer up the following prayer for this Independence Day:
Dear God, We have so much to be grateful for as a country! Thank you for the privilege of being an American. There is so much to thank you for today! For our forefathers who founded this great nation. Thank you, Lord. For the blessings of liberty for this generation and those to come. Thank you, Lord. For each and every person who bravely gave their lives in defense of our freedoms. Thank you, Lord. For the joy of celebrating as a country Independence Day. Thank you, Lord. For the joy of being with friends and family on this holiday. Thank you, Lord. For the patriotic songs that we sing. Thank you, Lord. For every flag that we see flying. Thank you, Lord. For those who are far from home, who on this day, sail or fly or walk in harm's way. Father, protect them. For the families of those who are far away. Father, comfort them. For those who have received the dreaded message that their loved one has died. Comfort them in their grief. Strengthen those who carry the wounds of war, visible and invisible. Be to them a sure presence.
Today, keep us all grounded not in our strength but in yours, relying on the promise that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." All this we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (partially adapted from "A Prayer on Independence Day, Mark L. Tidd, Chief of Navy Chaplains)
Nancy B. Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Danny Green- On Being "Cut"
It's been said that the San Antonio Spurs are old. This year, the Big Three of Duncan, Parker and Ginobli have proved many wrong by reaching the NBA Finals. Even back in the 2007 Finals, people thought the Spurs were old. Ginobli recently joked "We've been old for probably eight years now." I'm grateful for our seasoned Spurs and excited about our young guys too!
The beauty about the Spurs is that Coach Pop is so keen on developing young players. Take Danny Green. Who doesn't remember his smile as big as the state of Texas as Green hit just one more shot from downtown in Game 3 of the Finals? He ended the night with a game-high 27 points, a performance that went beyond his wildest dreams.
Green was twice cut by the Spurs and questioned whether he had a future in the NBA. He was cut by Cleveland less than a year after drafting him. Coach Popovich said that Green struggled with confidence issues in his early days. When asked what advice he gave Green, Popovich said "Helping him believe that he belonged. Not getting down if things didn't go well, to continue to push and to work. And to Danny's credit, he's done that. He's a pretty confident young man right now."
Maybe you've experienced feeling "cut" in your life more than once like Danny Green. Being "cut" can represent those times in your life when we feel beaten down, rejected and not wanted by the very people or organization we want to be associated with. This can affect us more profoundly than we care to admit. Who hasn't felt this in some form or fashion? Not getting the promotion. Not making the team. Feeling left out. Not wanted. Even deeper than the actual being "cut" is the feeling of rejection.
Rejection can either destroy us or catapult us forward to see things through God's eyes. Rejection can either make us give up or become determined to press in and work harder. Rejection can allow us to become bitter or learn the beauty of humility. Rejection can lure us to think negatively about ourselves or it can keep our heart pliable and dependent upon God. It's a choice for each of us as to how we respond when being "cut."
Do you get it? Being "cut" isn't always a bad thing. God can take those painful experiences and transform them into a beautiful better new you. Will you let him? Go Spurs Go!
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The beauty about the Spurs is that Coach Pop is so keen on developing young players. Take Danny Green. Who doesn't remember his smile as big as the state of Texas as Green hit just one more shot from downtown in Game 3 of the Finals? He ended the night with a game-high 27 points, a performance that went beyond his wildest dreams.
Green was twice cut by the Spurs and questioned whether he had a future in the NBA. He was cut by Cleveland less than a year after drafting him. Coach Popovich said that Green struggled with confidence issues in his early days. When asked what advice he gave Green, Popovich said "Helping him believe that he belonged. Not getting down if things didn't go well, to continue to push and to work. And to Danny's credit, he's done that. He's a pretty confident young man right now."
Maybe you've experienced feeling "cut" in your life more than once like Danny Green. Being "cut" can represent those times in your life when we feel beaten down, rejected and not wanted by the very people or organization we want to be associated with. This can affect us more profoundly than we care to admit. Who hasn't felt this in some form or fashion? Not getting the promotion. Not making the team. Feeling left out. Not wanted. Even deeper than the actual being "cut" is the feeling of rejection.
Rejection can either destroy us or catapult us forward to see things through God's eyes. Rejection can either make us give up or become determined to press in and work harder. Rejection can allow us to become bitter or learn the beauty of humility. Rejection can lure us to think negatively about ourselves or it can keep our heart pliable and dependent upon God. It's a choice for each of us as to how we respond when being "cut."
Do you get it? Being "cut" isn't always a bad thing. God can take those painful experiences and transform them into a beautiful better new you. Will you let him? Go Spurs Go!
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
When things don't go as planned
It seemed like the perfect day for a wedding. Moderately sunny. Perfect temperature. Beautiful sprawling ranch with white tables, chairs
and exquisite centerpieces set up picture perfect near a lake. A lovely day in
Magnolia, Texas. Everything was planned to a tea. As the clock ticked closer to 6 p.m., things
changed quickly. Clouds in the sky. Raindrops.
Thunder in the distance. As we ran
through huge puddles to get to the party barn, my heart sank for the bride. Wedding guests were huddled closely together under
the barn, with rain gusting in from the sides.
All at once, the power went out. Finally,
the ceremony got underway. Lightning and
thunder bolts served as a background orchestra throughout the ceremony. The memories of this wedding just kept
coming. Our Rav4 seemingly enjoyed the
lovely ranch grounds and wanted to hang out just a bit longer in the mud. It took four big men to push us out. Then, a long drive home during a stormy night
in Texas. Sometimes, even with the best
plans, things happen out of our control.
As much as we love to have things to go as planned,
sometimes they don’t. We prepare
well. We train well. We do everything we can to ensure that
everything will go off without a hitch.
And it doesn’t. How we respond
when bad things happen shows a lot about our character.
We want to control outcomes. We don’t like it when we can’t.
As human beings, (and adults) we like when things go our way, with no hassles,
no problems and certainly no catastrophes.
But, life doesn’t always work like that.
And how we handle our “uncontrollable moments” shows a lot about our
character.
God is in control.
Always. We don’t always get God’s
ways. Why? We’re not God. As we look through the Bible, there are countless
stories of life that didn’t happen as planned.
But God was still God. God was
still trustworthy. God was still
sovereign. As long as we live on this
earth, we will face countless circumstances out of our control. As we trust God in the midst of those
circumstances, He will see us through.
He will give us a different perspective. He will build our character in
the process. An eternal perspective.
“What comes into our
minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” A. W.
Tozer
“For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so
are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Being teachable
I was just visiting with my neighbor for a mere 30
minutes. That’s how long it took for my
stealthy English Springer, Gracie Lou, to find the left-over Easter candy. I had left the pantry door ajar, and there in
a bag were some individually wrapped Nestles Crunch Easter Egg Candy. Not good.
Thankfully, outside of being extremely hyper, she came out of the ordeal
extremely well.
Gracie Lou, if given the opportunity to partake of chocolate
will go for it every time. Even despite
the issues that arrive in her system, she rarely remembers the next time
chocolate becomes available. And of
course, she has no understanding that chocolate is extremely bad, even fatal,
for dogs. She’s actually quite proud of
her glorious find! She doesn’t see the
“wrong” in her behavior.
We humans often don’t see the “wrongs” in our own
behavior. We often will do everything we
can to focus on our skills and hide our mistakes and faults. Adele Calhoun writes “According to Alix Spiegel, our “optimistic” and overconfident national
character accounts for our lack of accurate self-assessment. We would rather bluff, spin and manage an
image than be wrong. We would rather be
self-deceived than teachable.” (Calhoun, Invitations from God)
Admitting our wrongdoings doesn’t at all come naturally. A
foul on the basketball court. A fender
bender. A struggle in a marriage. Admitting to an affair. A political figure
caught in wrong doing. A significant
error at work. Why are we so unable to
see where we are wrong?
Whether your 25 or 55, you might benefit from the beautiful
quality of teachability. To be teachable
means that your willing to unlearn and relearn.
You admit you need help and guidance.
You notice when you get into arguments over details that are not that
important. You begin to stop defending
yourself and admit that you made a mistake.
You begin to see how much it matters to you that you’re right.
I’m so grateful to say I don’t have everything right. As I accept this truth, I am willing to
become more teachable, which allows me to grow and truly change. “Being teachable opens me up to learning from
the ideas and opinions of others. It
does not mean I don’t have my own beliefs, but that they are open to being
refined and changed.” (Calhoun) Let’s consider this question as we start the
week: How does my personal need to be
right affect my relationships with other people?
“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord
weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2
Monday, June 10, 2013
What's in a Team?
It’s a pretty exciting time in San Antonio these days. Three words seem to have now become our
choice greeting…. Go Spurs Go! Even as I was waiting for a rental car today
in Columbus, Ohio, I noticed someone next to me that was obviously from San
Antonio. Our greeting? Go
Spurs Go.
Although I’ve only lived in San Antonio for three years, I
have become a full-fledged Spurs fan. I’ve noticed that all around our city, we
talk about Pop, Timmy, Tony and Manu like they’re our next door neighbors. When I play basketball with my next door
neighbor boy, he always asks who I want to “be” when we play. I say Timmy.
He says LeBron. Gotta love it.
(I guess we're stuck playing Lebron.)
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Coach Pop recently said in an article “We don’t depend on one guy. We
depend on everybody.”
Coach Pop knows about team. He has developed an amazing
team. A team cares for each other. A team
loves each other. A team assists each other for the good of the team. A team member doesn’t seek out attention and
fame for himself, but desires the best for the team. A strong team is fully
engaged and do not sit passively on the sidelines. A strong team shares with one another. They look for ways to help each other be
successful. If others on the team
succeed beyond a team member’s own abilities, he is ecstatic for them. A strong team is selfless. That’s our Spurs.
To be perfectly honest, there are times when I don’t feel
like being selfless. I want the credit. I want people to notice. And sometimes, if really honest, I might not want to cheer someone on who does a
better job than myself. Gulp. Not fun to admit. Sometimes our own humanness gets in the way
of being a strong team member. I’ve
often needed to go back to Philippians 2:3 for quick reminder: “Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves.” If you and I applied
that verse to our lives this week, how would your team change? How would your family life change? How would
your friendships change? How would you
change? May God help each one of us
embody the characteristics of a great team player. Go Spurs Go!
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Tony Parker and Patience
You can’t live in San Antonio these days without being crazy
for the Spurs. On second thought, I
guess you can, but you might not want to admit it. I think there are always
great lessons to be learned from watching a basketball game, especially the
Spurs. Let’s rewind back to the first
game of the Finals.
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
The lesson? Patience. The
teacher? Tony Parker. Who doesn’t know about the miraculous shot
Parker made with 24 seconds left in the game?
With three minutes left on the clock, the Heat coach, Erik Spoelstra, gave
Lebron James the dubious task of guarding Parker. As the clock wound down, Parker seemed to
have nowhere to go, trying to run out the clock, losing the ball, getting it
back and finally making the shot. THE
shot. Parker went on to say “Whoever they put on me, I just have to keep
playing the same way and be patient. I
think for me it’s the big key in this series is to be patient.” Wisdom, at its best.
If we’re honest, we could all use a good dose of Tony Parker’s
patience. What makes you lose your
patience? Crazy drivers? Waiting at a doctor’s office? Unruly children? Impossible expectations?
Physical ailments? We all have those things that cause us to lose it. Patience is a virtue, but what does that
mean? Could you define patience, if you
were asked? James Spiegel writes
“Patience is waiting without complaint.
To be patient is to endure discomfort without complaint. This calls into
play some other virtues, specifically self-control, humility, and generosity.” Would those closest to you consider you a
patient person?
Our waiting has a purpose.
Being able to wait patiently is a beautiful quality, admirable to those
around you. Why not ponder this great
question…. “At the end of each day,
remember the things you have waited for throughout the day. What did you wait for patiently? Where did you lose patience? Listen to what God wants to say to you about
your waiting.” (Adele Calhoun,
Invitations from God)
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Now is the time
It was just one week ago we were staring at the TV or phone
watching the aftermath of the Moore, Oklahoma.
If you think about it, there’s been a lot of devastation this year. Super storm Sandy on the Jersey coast. New
Town, Connecticut. Boston,
Massachusetts. West, Texas. And now
Moore, Oklahoma.
It seems like as time marches on, we can forget the horrific
things that happened in the past. Unless
we are strongly connected to people in one of these locations, we can easily
just get back to our normal lives. However, those in New Town feel their loss
every day. Victims in Boston are trying
to learn to do life as an amputee.
People in West are still displaced.
Those in Moore are still in shock.
Devastation takes a
toll. Yet, once we get a glimpse of the
pictures, people and stories of what took place, we too experience a bit of
that devastation. We wonder. We
question. We hurt. We want to come along side and help. We want to give. Yes, we want to be Americans that care for
one another. What a great country we
live in!
When in the midst of hard times like this, our faith
matters. Trusting God when things are
going great is one thing, but trusting God when devastation occurs is yet
another thing. It’s so easy for us to
question God…. “God, how could you allow
yet still another tragedy?” I think
it’s important for us to know that God’s word does not say we will be shielded
from all pain and suffering. However,
his Word does tell us that He will be with us through the pain and
suffering. There is nothing that can occur in your life that can catch
God by surprise. It might certainly
catch you by surprise! But, not God.
Now is the time to nurture and develop our relationship with
God. Now is the time to learn to
pray. Now is the time to let go of your
pride and ask some questions about who God is. Now is the time to admit your relationship with God is lacking. Now is the time to trust God with your life. Don't wait until the devastation comes. Now is the time.
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Everwhichaways
A while back, I was a member of Toastmasters, an organization designed to help develop confidence and abilities in public speaking. One year, I decided to try my hand at speaking in a humorous speech contest. Since I lived in Dallas at the time, I thought it might be fun to give a talk on "How to Speak Southern." Even though I was a Yankee by birth, I thought with a bit of practice I could pull it off. I designed some big white cardboard flash cards with a southern word written out boldly on each. I would say one of the words, then give the definition and then give the audience a chance to enunciate correctly the southern word together. Even the locals seemed to have a bit of fun with their drawl.
One of the words I used was "everwhichaways." Everwhichaways means "scattered in all directions." Used in a sentence, it might sound like this: "That train hit the chicken on the track and that chicken flew everwhichaways!!!!" (All done with an over-exaggerated Texas twang)
Perhaps, if we're honest, everwhichaways, a made up Texas word, might best describe how we do life. We might also say we're "going in twenty directions" or "feeling scattered." That's usually not a good sign. Let's be honest. How often do you feel like you have a hard time slowing down? Too busy? Tired? Distracted? Never getting enough done? See people as objects, not people? If honest, most of us would say YES! Many of you feel that way today.
An enemy of our physical, emotional and spiritual lives is exhaustion. We are living beyond our means physically. Dallas Willard writes "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life, for hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our world today." For many of us, we don't know to live life without hurry. Even weekends and vacations have become busy! In our day to day life, the idea of rest or taking a nap or just simply doing nothing for an afternoon seems unproductive.
Is your life everwhichaways? Why not try an experiment? It's Spring in South Texas and oh, so beautiful with the bluebonnets and cool temps. Take a moment and consider the importance of rest, recreation and play in YOUR life. What would a perfect day of rest and recreation look like for you? Just like you plan for an appointment, plan for you (and your family) to do what refreshes you. For me, we'll grab the dog, a picnic lunch, our kayaks and head to the river. So, what about you? Plan your perfect day...and then do it!
"We must have some room to breathe. We need freedom to think and permission to heal. Our relationships are being starved to death by velocity. No one has the time to listen, let alone love.... Is God now pro-exhaustion? Doesn't He lead people beside the still waters anymore?" Richard Swenson
Nancy Abbott serves as Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio. Do you have a specific prayer request? Need support? Encouragement? A referral? Please feel free to call or email. Your prayer needs are kept in confidence. |
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