Disturbance of Peace

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Mary, Did You Know?

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

What God Wants For Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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