Gratitude, Grief, Grumbling and Gravy

By now, you're probably starting to think about yummy smoked turkey, garlic mashed potatoes with gravy and Grandma's homemade pumpkin pie that will be coming your way soon. This is the week where we're all given a pass on eating healthy and will at some point end up in a tryptophan coma. Let the feeding frenzy begin!

But, really, as we know, Thanksgiving is not all about food. Yet, it sure does help, right? As we approach the holiday, it might be important to think not only about the meal and our preparations, but about those other things we don't tend to talk about, but very present, just the same. What possible thoughts and actions might go on around your table? Here might be a some.........

I can't imagine Thanksgiving this year without __________ being at the table.

I worry about volatile post election discussions between Democrat and Republican guests. Kicking under the table will be acceptable to bring a halt to this stuff.

I'm so stressed out about all the preparations! 

I assume that ________________ won't come to dinner because of the family rift.

This has been a hard year! I sure don't feel very thankful about anything!

I can't wait to get together with family! I'm so grateful to celebrate together!

Don't you wish you could listen to what people are really thinking? Perhaps, we could be a bit more sensitive and aware of what people bring to the table this year. 

Have you lost a loved one? Take time to acknowledge the empty chair. Go around your table and share something you loved and/or miss about your loved one. Allow the sweet memories be a blanket over your grief. Grief is real. Don't apologize for tears. Allow it to be a tender, sweet time of remembering.

Has grumbling crept into your holiday? Your attitude makes all the difference. Try to pinpoint what's going on in your heart. Ask God for help to pull you out of the crevices of negativity. Best way to do that? Be thankful! Go around the table and share something or someone you're thankful for. Play the Alphabet Gratitude Game with your family, starting with A and going to Z, share something your thankful for. A great game with kids!

Has food become the center of your holiday? Set aside the turkey and gravy preparations and remember that food isn't the MOST important thing. So, what's the worst thing that can happen if you burn the Green Bean Casserole or ruin the pie crust? It's all going to be OK. Life goes on. Don't allow the preparations to keep you from loving and caring for the precious people around you. Don't let the rush of the day keep you from being grateful to your God.

You have all the ability in the world to model a thankful Thanksgiving this year. Even in the midst of your present challenges, you CAN be thankful. I dare you to try!

"Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing…Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100:2, 4-5

"It does not matter what your circumstances are, the instant you begin to thank God, even though your situation has not changed, you begin to change. The key that unlocks the gates of heaven is a thankful heart." Francis Frangipane

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

Advent Attitude Adjustment

I must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed. We had just gotten back the night before from visiting family for Thanksgiving. Traveling with crutches? Don't recommend it. As I woke up, I felt my foot, still swollen and learning how to walk again. I found myself grumbling inwardly. "I'm so very tired of using these crutches. I'm so weary of still struggling to get around. It's hard to believe four months have gone by since my accident in Colorado. Will I ever get well?" Yes, I was having a royal pity party for myself.

It then occurred to me that today was the beginning of Advent. Not sure if I looked at the calendar or what. I just knew. My mind traveled back to my childhood, when each Sunday we would gather around the breakfast table and light the advent candle. With childlike wonder, I would listen intently as my mom read scripture about the birth of Christ. Today, it occurred to me that I needed an Advent attitude adjustment and a bit more childlike wonder.

We have just officially entered into the advent season. Advent is the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world. It's a time to stop, prepare, focus and anticipate Jesus' birth. Yet, so often, WE DON'T STOP. We move through the holiday season like we're on steroids. So much to do, so little time. Decorating the tree. Buying the gifts. Attending the parties. Before you know it, it's December 26, and we're glad it's all done.

Today, I need prayer. You need prayer. I need to get my mind off my circumstances and reoriented to my God. As you begin this day, join me in prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, On this first week of Advent, I praise you and thank you for this glorious time of year. Forgive me for my focus on everything but You. Christmas is ALL about you. I can become so busy and so consumed with everything but the true meaning of Christmas…. your birthday! Help me embrace the story of Jesus' birth with childlike wonder and hope. Rather than worrying about all I have to do, remind me of the peace of God that is available to me 24/7. Allow me to use my time, talents, treasures and tears for the sake of others. Help me to sow peace, not conflict. Help me smile more and frown less. Help me give more and want less. Help me stop being so impatient with people and give people grace, the same grace I need as well. Forgive me of my sins, Lord. Perform the Advent attitude adjustments I need today. Make these next 27 days before Christmas radically different in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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

Zoe's Thoughts on the Election

Hi, I’m Zoe, the Abbott’s adopted me a little while back. Mobile, Alabama is my actual hometown but now I live with them. They feed me, house me, and generally treat me as family; so I guess you should not be surprised that they let me be the guest columnist for today.  After all, I’m no longer a puppy, I’m full grown, actually a little over-grown, but speaking for myself, I am nonetheless pretty obedient. I do a lot of tricks for them, like dancing, sitting, and chasing. I even know how to play London Bridges. I have been considering becoming a therapy dog ever since my mom started using those two sticks called crutches. But now, after this week, I’m sure I have even more to offer…

You see, I’ve noticed they’ve been a little distracted lately. One night last week, my mom watched TV until mid-night, way past our bedtime.... I was already a bit confused with bedtime after that Daylight Savings Time thing. Some special event was going on that night. I understand the event that took place only happens every four years, so this was my first time to experience one. Wow, it was a doozy! It seemed to have ruffled a lot of human beings’ feathers (BTW: as an English Springer, I have what people call feathers, I think mine are really cute.). Anyway, I heard lots of loud noises on that big square machine over the last few months. 

It looks like people are mad, afraid, and all kinds of other things just based on what that square box thingy was saying. I’m glad God made me a doggie, because I believe God uses me to teach humans about what’s really important. I’ve learned to trust and obey my parents because I know they love me. I’ll do whatever they say, wellalmost everything. I’ve learned to play nicely with other doggies, even though they look different than me. Some are really tiny, some way bigger than me, some different colors, but all in all, we tend to get along with one another.  Many of these doggies have different opinions on how to play. Some want to play rough and tumble. Others want to chase me. Some of my friends swim in the river with me. All in all, we learn to do life together and respect each other, even though different.

Do you know my best quality? My best quality is unconditional love. I love my masters, even when they do stuff I don’t like. I forgive them quickly and don’t hold a grudge when they give me a bath or put medicine in my ears. It seems human beings need to learn more about this kind of love. It comes first and foremost from God. I know my parents love God very much and I know He loves them, just as I love them and they love me.

That square box keeps showing scary repercussions that resulted from that big event last week. It seems that many humans aren’t loving each other the way they should. That makes me sad. How about you? How will you demonstrate love and respect to those around you today? Love, Zoe

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NLT

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

Lessons From the Friendly Confines

I can’t say I’m a big baseball fan, but found myself glued to the TV for this year’s World’s Series. I was born in Cleveland, but lived a number of years in Chicago. Not sure I had a preference for who won, but was so happy for the Cubbies. They had waited a long time for this. 108 years to be exact.

And then, there was Game Seven. Game Seven. Has there ever been such a World Series game as this one? The rain delay almost did me in, but somehow, in the back of my mind, I knew history was being made and would not give in to my drowsy state.

During my years in Chicago, I grew to learn that Cubs’ fans were the ultimate fans. Think about it. These fans cheered for a team that usually lost. Loveable losers. They had all sorts of excuses, blaming it on Billy Goats, a guy named Steve Bartman and who knows what else. But, these fans would still show up at The Friendly Confines (Wrigley Field) to cheer like crazy. I never quite understood it. I guess the fans just always believed theymight win.

Cub fans believed in a team of people that most never knew personally. They believed in team after team that were not so good at playing ball. Their parents and grandparents believed that someday the Cubbies would make it to the World Series. Even the oldest of Cubs fans interviewed believed, knowing that now they could go to their grave, because the Cubs finally won.

One of the greatest gifts you can give those around you is to believe in them. Believe in their work. Believe in their dreams. Believe in them as a person. Believe that they can grow. When you believe in someone, you are FOR them. You look for specific ways to encourage them. You take time to listen. Really listen. You care about their success, not just about yours. You pray for them and want the best for them, even if they excel beyond you. You take time for them, even when you don’t have time. 

Just think what happens when you believe in people! Just like the Cubs fans, you eventually see the results. You see things change. You see people change. Let’s take a lesson from the Cubs’ fans. Become a great fan of the people around you. Even if they fail, keep believing in them. Someday, that might change.

“Do all the good you can.  By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”  John Wesley

“He said ‘Love…as I have loved you.’ We cannot love too much.” Amy Carmichael

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