Broken Bones in Colorado

I was really enjoying some relaxing hammock time on Haviland Lake outside of Durango, Colorado. I could have kept reading my good book, but Zoe, my English Spaniel, was whimpering for me to take her down to the lake waterfront. Of course, I gave in to her wining. So, off we went down to the river for a doggie swim.

The sprinkles were beginning to turn into more significant raindrops. Zoe, thinking they were fish, was bouncing in and out of the water, wanting to catch them. In one unsuspecting moment, her tug whirled me into an almost 360 degree circle, all the while my feet planted firmly in the ground. I looked down to see my mangled ankle out of place, screaming in pain for someone to come quick. As I lay there on the ground screaming, I felt God's nearness, even despite not seeing any people.

It took a while for someone to hear me. This was shocking, given my uncanny ability to scream. Soon, I saw one of our friends paddling toward me in a kayak. Then, an army medic ran over to lend a hand. Another brought ice. In time, my husband, Ben, other friends ran to my side.  Finally, we saw the ambulance make its way into the park. Even then, it took a bit of time to get down the rocky hill with all their equipment.

Once in the hospital, we were surrounded by capable medical people who cared for me in such a beautiful way. Before long, I took a "time out" pill that allowed me to opt out of watching the ankle get back into place. The diagnosis? Broken tibia and fibula and dislocation. Now, here I am, back at the condo, surrounded by dear friends and feeling loved. Just moving is painful. Just thinking about life without exercise is hard. Just thinking about how we're going to drive home and get in and out of the truck is hard. Things are just plain hard right now.

Do you have times when life is just hard? Where your circumstances seem so overwhelming? Where you don't know how you're going to make it through the next day?  I remember telling someone not too long ago that I had made it this far in life without one significant broken bone.  How quickly things change.  We really aren't in control, are we? Thankfully, God is in control and longs for us to trust Him.

We can't always count on our circumstances being the way we want them to be. There are times when life is just plain hard. However, I am comforted by God's truth in scripture:  "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."(Isaiah 26:3)  Even as I lay there screaming beside the lake, I felt this perfect peace. I know I will need God desperately in the days ahead. He will be my perfect peace. He will get me through. 

"The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him." Nahum 1:7

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

Lessons From Twenty-One

Twenty-one retired from basketball this past Monday, July 11. The end of an amazing long era! Jeff McDonald, Sports writer for the San Antonio Express News wrote "There are grown adults in San Antonio who have never known a Spurs team without Tim Duncan. He might as well be the Alamo."  Insert chuckle here. 

There were tweets from around the sports world sending Tim best wishes and remembering his great accomplishments over 19 years of play for the San Antonio Spurs.  Quiet. Humble. Greatest power forward of all time.  Champion. About winning. Respect. Best example of a leader. Role model. Admiration. I loved Becky Hammon's tweet…"Congratulations to TD- the best to ever do it! You showed the world how to win with grace, humility, and by empowering your teammates around you. It's the WAY you won, the way you taught, the way you mentored, the way you led by example, the way you worked, the way you always kept your character and integrity intact, always encouraging, never stepping on someone else to get to the top. Instead you grabbed everyone around you and led them to the top with you, all the winning- did I mention the sense of humor? There will never be another like you- enjoy the next chapter!" Wow. Insert tear drop here.

I have two favorite memories of TD. One occurred at the beginning of the game where Timmy cradles the ball for a good stretch before the tip.  We've all seen that picture. The second is at the end of a game where Timmy will NEVER exit the floor until the very last Spur has made their way to the locker room. Timmy always brought up the rear. It reminds me of a shepherd, always tending to his sheep and not letting any of them get away from the flock.

Timmy was an influencer of many.  Stop and consider how many in the NBA have been influenced by Tim Duncan in some way?  Now, let's think a moment about yourself. Who are YOU influencing? Who are YOU pouring your life into? Are YOU sharing your very best with others? Are YOU truly being humble and kind? What legacy are YOU leaving? Tim's example challenges us to consider these tough questions.

Mike Breen writes "People desperately need a flesh-and-blood example to look at, watch, ask questions, receive teaching and apprentice themselves to." So don't just tell people to pray; show them how. Don't just tell people to forgive; show them how. Breen writes:  "At gut-level honesty, most of us don't have the confidence to offer our lives as something to imitate, do we? Why?"  Often, it's because we don't believe we have a life that others would want to have. 

Who are you becoming? Are you giving it away? Take a lesson from Twenty-One.

"You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others." 2 Timothy 2:2

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

Broken Hearts

It was 5:15 a.m. on Friday, July 8. I had just read my newsfeed and was heading out to the Y for a workout. Listening to the radio as I drove, I found myself dabbing back the tears that were streaming down my face. Dallas.  A place I love. A place I've lived. A place I know so well. To believe this ambush shooting of police happened there or anywhere for that matter, was just heartbreaking.  This past week has been grievous.

We live in a country with a broken heart. We carry a broken heart. We talk with others about these things, but there's no resolve. Violence continues to escalate. We look through our newsfeed, Facebook or Twitter to get opinions. Still, no answers. We talk to family members to try to comfort and encourage our children.  Still, no easy way to communicate what took place. This world feels out of control. We are frightened for our children. We are fearful ourselves. We wonder what will happen next. We try to blame it on something…. anything…. to make sense of the sheer evil and violence we've seen in the news. What do we do? How do we start a day, wrestling with these things?

God's Word speaks to those of us with broken hearts. He gives hope, healing, encouragement and comfort in the Bible.  As you start your day, take a moment and read and meditate on these scriptures.

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalms 34:18)

"Fear not, for I am with you be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

I've been so grateful for God to help me write these blogs each week. So often, I have no clue what to write about until I sit down and ask God for help. This Friday was not different. I had no words. Nothing. But, I know with all of my heart that God had answers.  His Word is where I find hope today. I pray you will as well. 

As you read over these verses, pray for the wives, husbands and children of the fallen. Pray Christ's comfort over these families and healing for those wounded. Pray for the city of Dallas and our nation.  Prayer changes things. It really does.

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

John Adams and Celebrating the 4th

John Adams knew the importance of celebration. Adams, who served as our first vice president and second president of the United States, actually wanted to celebrate our country's independence and adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 2.

Check out what Adams had written to his wife Abigail… "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought be to solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward and forever more.” Adam’s prediction was two days earlier than our celebrated holiday. But, isn’t that cool that even back then, Adams thought this day was worthy of celebration? So, let’s celebrate!

John Adams believed that part of the celebration was to enjoy solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty, because of this day of deliverance. I’m so grateful John Adams knew that God really was behind this amazing celebration! When was the last time you stopped and prayed for our country? Why not pray for America as part of your celebration today?

Father God, Thank you for the United States of America and the freedom you have given us in our great country. We thank you for that great day in July, 1776, and can’t thank you enough for the freedoms we enjoy in this great country! We ask that we would not forget the sacrifice so many gave to allow us to live freely today in our nation. We thank you for all facets of the military and ask your blessing and protection on each and every person who serves in our nation. We pray for all leaders in our cities, states and country. God, grant your continued wisdom and guidance as they lead. Guide them in all their decision making. Grant your peace and protection on our country. Remind us that when we don’t know what to do, we can pray. Help us when we are at wit’s end with the terror that continues to happen, that we can pray. Help us when we our hearts are burdened for those who’ve died in Turkey and Orlando, we can pray. Help us realize when we see those beautiful fireworks and are reminded of our freedoms here, we can pray! No matter what happens, God, you are still on the throne. We thank you for that today. So as we start this July 4th, we look to you and throughout the day, may we be reminded that ALL the blessings we have, come from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Happy 4th!

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