A Sense of Urgency

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

The Missing Ingredient

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Under Pressure!

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

Grumbling, Gratitude and the Dallas Cowboys

Well, what does grumbling, gratitude and the Dallas Cowboys have in common? If you've had your TV on during the last few weeks of Sunday NFL football, you may know part of the answer to this question. If you live in Texas and not a football fan, you may have caught wind through someone on Facebook that the Dallas Cowboys are in dire straits. DIRE. That's serious. In fact, the definition of dire strait is a 'state of extreme trouble or difficulty.' Yep, that sums it up for the boys! Without Tony Romo, the Cowboys might find themselves out on the lonesome range roping cattle soon. Being an astute ESPN follower, I have noticed quite a few fare weather fans that do nothing but share their critical words about the Cowboys.

Honestly, I don't really have an answer to the sad state of affairs with my Cowboys. I've been a Cowboy fan since I was a kid, simply because I was a cowgirl. I even had the audacity to move to Dallas from the Midwest to be near my team. As much as I follow them and want them to do well, I refuse to grumble and complain. Its sports. Simple as that. I'm in it for the long haul. Thankfully, in the realm of life, it's not a disaster.

How does one mix grumbling and gratitude? Not very well. Here's my take. Being a grateful person every day isn't so easy. It's like starting a new habit, right?  It's easy to be grateful when everything in our lives is going well. How quickly things change when our life doesn't go as expected. Gratitude goes out the door. The complaints unravel out of our mouths faster than you can say "complain".... Too much rain. Not enough rain. Angry about an outcome. Questioning a decision at work. Cowboys losing. Complaining is just about as natural as talk itself. How quickly gratitude can depart and grumbling can start.

How can gratitude be a way of life for you? One day at a time.  Start a new habit to become more and more grateful, one day at a time. Being grateful to God for the simple things of life. Being grateful for people. Being grateful to people. Looking for ways to have a thankful heart.  It is possible.  Even thanking Him when things don't go our way.  Wow....God loves it when we're grateful people! He created us to be grateful.  He TELLS us to be grateful. So, take it from a grateful Cowboy fan. Look around. Take note. There is a ton of things to be thankful for!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the words of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:15-16

 

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

Don't Lose the "THANKS" in Thanksgiving!

Well, it's November and in the last few days, we've experienced another round of floods, nearby tornadoes and a time change to boot. At least, the time change gave us one extra hour to sleep. That made up for all the times the emergency alerts went off during the wee hours of Friday morning.

 

I love this time of year! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and no matter how hard the retail world tries, there is just not much they can do to commercialize Thanksgiving. Perhaps, that's why I love the holiday so much. I know holidays can bring all sorts of feelings up to the surface. For some, Thanksgiving will represent one less seat at the table this year. I know that's true in our family with my mom's loss. For others, Thanksgiving is just a busy time with lots of food preparations, family and little sleep. For others, it's a grand day to eat and watch football.

 

Have we lost the "Thanks" in Thanksgiving? All too often, things get in the way of a thankful heart. When we live each day with a grateful heart, we notice the good in the ordinary. We see the good side of people. We learn to appreciate people, even their quirky side. (We all have quirky sides!) We take note of the beautiful clouds in the sky or a song on the radio or the sight of a newborn baby. We take time to remember precious memories. We become grateful for everything we enjoy, recognizing that they are all gifts from God.

 

As you start the month of November, what would it look like for you to live each day with a grateful spirit?  For me, I would have to cut complaining, grumbling and any form of grumpiness out of my verbal diet.  And you would too. Are you up for choosing gratitude this month?

 

Thanksgiving is possible not because your life or circumstances are perfect, but because God is present and alive. As I read God's Word, I see the challenge for all of us to be grateful people. Psalm 136:1-2 is beautiful.... "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords; His love endures forever."

 

From now through November 30, I dare you to make it a habit to become more grateful. Here's some ideas: Keep a gratitude journal. Express gratitude to others by saying "I'm so grateful for you because..." Send a thank you note of appreciation. Thank God each day in prayer. Count your blessings each day. BE grateful. My prayer for you and I this holiday season? That we would cultivate thankful hearts.No grumbling ...about anything.  Ready? Go!

 

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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