Lessons From The Hammock

The sunshine is just heavenly today as I hammock in the back yard. The hammock swaying gently from a tender wind. The leaves falling gently on my face. The sun glistening over the palm tree. Pure serenity.

Sometimes the rhythm of every day life does not allow for hammock time. I can get so caught up in my going, doing, performing, achieving and accomplishing! There’s always something more that needs to be done, right? There’s always just one more interruption that requires attention.

All at once, Zoe, my dog appears. She's nudging me to throw her bright pink squeaky ball. Over and over and over..... Interruptions come out of nowhere, don't they?

With the daily tasks we have, slowing down is usually not one of them. When was the last time you intentionally took time to rest? Play? Read a book? Play music? Do nothing?  Actually, we often feel guilty for taking time to “do nothing.” In the back of our mind, that long  “to do” list still beckons us. How can we relax when we have so much to do?

This solitude. This refreshment. This rest.  Sheer bliss. Why don’t I do this more?

I believe God created the concept of rest in the Bible from the very beginning in Genesis. He rested Himself. He saw the value of rest and refreshment for us as well by creating Sabbath. In fact, when we intentionally slow down, we remember that we’re not God of the universe and don’t have to control everything.  Our identity doesn’t have to be wrapped up in performing, achieving, doing and serving.

Do you need to carve out a little “me” time this week? What interruptions keep you from giving yourself such a gift? Here’s a prayer as you start your week…

Father in Heaven, Thank you for the invitation you give us to come to you, all who are weary and burdened, and you will give rest. Allow us to take your yoke and learn from you. You are gentle and humble in heart. Thank you that we will find rest for our souls in you. Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. (Matthew 11: 28-30) Show us today where we have been on perpetual autopilot. Allow us to make time for to enjoy your beautiful creation. Help us see that we need You more than our phones or friends on facebook. Quiet our heart today. Refresh us with your Spirit. Teach us the joy of just being. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Speaking Without Thinking

I took a hiatus from my Spanish classes, but grateful to be back in the classroom this week. It didn’t take long to get back in the Spanish groove. Spanish is such a beautiful language! Every syllable is enunciated and communicated with such eloquence, when done by my teacher. If only I could speak like her! I look forward to the day when I can speak Spanish without thinking about it!

Sometimes, I’m guilty of speaking in my own native tongue without thinking about it. I’m reckless with my words. It can happen when I least expect it. I get irritated. Interrupted by a sales call. Challenged by a difficult person. Disappointed by a circumstance. Or in a deep conversation with my husband. Can you remember the last time you said something without thinking?

The Bible speaks often about the tongue. It reminds us that nothing carries more power for hope AND hurt, building up AND tearing down and giving life AND spewing hurt in our words. We’re so quick to judge our fellow man or woman with our words. Gossip in the workplace just seems normal…and it’s so tempting to join in. Even with those we love most, our families, we’ve been known to slap out a few choice words. When anger is part of our circumstance, our words become like a crescendo on a page of music. Soft, louder, and loudest. Oh, how we can hurt others by our words.

Why should we pay close attention to our words? Our words reflect our heart. If our heart is far away from God, we won’t care about our words. But if we love God and want to obey His word, we want to please our God and He has much to say about how we speak to others.

Today, you’ll probably have some occasion to deal with a difficult person, be met with an interruption or just pass on your crankiness to others. Will you respond with grace, patience and kindness?  Will you think before you speak? Will you ask God for help? Check out the verses below and make them your prayer for today. Dios te bendiga.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

“Let your conversation be always full of grace.” Colossians 4:6

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs16:24

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”  James 1:19

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

What Can You Count On?

This morning, on my way to the YMCA, I saw an eight-horse trailer rig pass by while waiting at a red light. I knew exactly where that rig was going. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo! I love, really LOVE this time of year! The Rodeo and February go hand in hand here in San Antonio! You can count on it!

There are a lot of things we count on in life. Good health. Happy and healthy kids. Great jobs. Secure finances. Outstanding doctors. Automobiles that run. Great stock market. Successful surgeries. No more cancer. Sports team that win. Trusted friendships.

Sooner or later, what we count on may fail us. Something goes awry. Life’s plans and outcomes don’t go as planned. For me, an active gal that rarely sits still, a broken ankle rocked my world. I didn't count on it. Out of left field. It is during these times, when life doesn't go my way, I have a firm anchor, One who will see me through. What comes to mind for you? What has rocked your world?

Life’s circumstances can change hourly. Our relationships, health and jobs are impacted by so many circumstances. Really, what can we truly count on? In the midst of my quandary, I can’t go long before I remember that God will never disappoint. All throughout the Bible, God pours out His love and promises upon us. Try reading Psalm 139 or Psalm 19 for starts. God can and will always be worthy of our complete trust.

What has kept you from counting on God for the treasured concerns in your heart? Perhaps, today is the day to invite Him to give you security and peace where life’s circumstances come up short.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5

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

Finger Pointing

I can be so quick to judge. It happens so instinctively, sometimes without a thought. Just a few weeks ago, I had the inevitable happen. My  car got bonked while exiting a Spurs game. It didn’t help that it was pouring rain that night or that we were the last one out of the parking lot. I certainly wanted to make sure the bonk-er knew that he was to blame. Why do I do that?

It was just a fender bender, but oh, how easy it is to attach blame! You know the drill. Finger pointing.  We’ve seen it at all levels. Youth sports.  Professional sports. Politics. Work situations. Relational struggles. Road rage. Performance issues. Marital spats. Sibling quarrels. You-name-it-Facebook-judging. We live in a season where there is plenty of finger pointing. We’re so quick to judge others. How quickly we forget that when we point the finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointed back at ourselves. We usually want to avoid those three fingers.

Finger pointing even took place in the Bible. Back in Genesis 3:11-13, God asked Adam and Eve about their sin. They both chose to point the finger to someone else.  God asked them if they had eaten from the tree that He commanded them not to eat from? I would guess at this point Adam would like to crawl into an Eden cave. He responded “The woman you put here with me-she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” When God asked the woman “What is this you have done?” She replied “The serpent deceived me, and I ate it.” No one could own up to anything! Yet, God knew all along what was going on. And God knows with us as well.

Why are you and I so quick to judge? Do our comments, words and responses really benefit those that hear or read it? How is our negativity being helpful for the common good of others? Will others that hear or read our words be encouraged? Have we looked at the greater picture, realizing we also make mistakes and fall short?

It occurred to me after our fender bender, that I could have just as easily hit another car in the parking lot.  I realized that I was just as vulnerable to make the same mistake.  When I came to grips with my propensity to goof up, God softened my heart. He humbled my heart as well and I realized my cranky attitude. It truly was a good lesson for me.

Could we stop and consider our own propensities? Why such a critical spirit? Why attack others we don’t know? Why talk behind someone’s back and judge? Why write mean and spiteful things for all to read? We don’t know the whole situation, yet we find it easy to be the judge of all. In doing so, we place ourselves on a throne that only God occupies.

“Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” Romans 14:13

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