Monday, June 26, 2017

Do I Love My Neighbor?

We were leading Sunday School and heading out with our class of four and five-year olds to the big classroom when I saw him. He was lying on the ground, on his back. Then the children saw him, gathered around him and yelled: "He's hurt! Let's help him!" They got it! My crazy husband had left the room first and decided the Good Samaritan parable would sink in further through an object lesson, and of course, he was just the one to be, well….. the object. Not that he was really beaten and left for dead, having all his money stolen. Not that he was undesirable to be seen with, especially if you were "important" or a different class. Not that he smelled bad, which probably was the case if one was left on a desert trail. Still, they got it. They wanted to help someone who needed it just be cause, well, he needed it. So, that was my Sunday.

Then, my Thursday came. And guess who gave the next object lesson? Her name was Maria. She was an older lady, outside in the hot sun and had way too many shopping bags to carry. She asked me for a ride. I was busy vacuuming my car. I was skeptical. I had a schedule. So, initially, I said no. Yep, the chaplain said no. But, my heart was troubled and felt God pushing me to catch up with her.

I called out to Maria and offered her a ride. I caved, apologized to her (and to God). This is where the lesson gets good. Well, I should say messy. After an almost shoving match to get all her bags into the car, I drove her to her apartment complex. This next lesson wasn't much fun to learn.

Not knowing her apartment complex, I stopped just inside the driveway to let her off, but unfortunately, I blocked the gate. The gate came flying open and missed my car by a thin hair. This was going on all the while dear Maria was trying to get her bags out of the car. Great, my car gets hit while doing a good deed. Let's just say the less-than-friendly-neighbor driving out of the complex did not hesitate to eloquently explain to me (a.k.a. screaming) the error(s) of my ways.

It's no fun to get yelled at by a screaming lady or the apartment yardman, who joined in the fun by accusing me of a huge dent in the gate. I don't do well with eloquent discussions directed at me. Even when it was all over and I was safely home, it affected my spirit. I was hurt. I began to wonder again about the Sunday School lesson. I remembered the parable ended with Jesus asking the lawyer "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" I think it was very clear by the parable they are not only the semi-easy ones like my Maria encounter, but also the harder ones like Maria's eloquent speaking neighbors.

I get it, but the truth is, it's not so easy. I do want to love people. And it's not very impressive to only love easy people. I guess we could all benefit going back to Sunday School to learn important truths and see how they play out in real life. I sure needed to.

What about you? Are you challenged to love your neighbor? (Work associates? Family members? Facebook friends? Neighbors? Real life everyday people?) We know the lawyer was. Now you know I am. But, it's worth it to love, even if it's not easy to do so.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, love your neighbor as yourself." Luke 10:27

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

Monday, June 19, 2017

Horror on the Baseball Field

Just last week, America experienced a horrifying event on a baseball field in Virginia. Politicians were practicing to compete in a bipartisan game. A gunman asked the question if they were democrat or republic. He then began shooting. The shooting went on for approximately ten minutes, with some saying the gunman fired at least 100 rounds.

How do we respond to yet another shooting? How do we make sense of senseless acts? Personally, I actually don’t know how to respond. And I certainly can’t make any sense of it. But, I do look to our God for finding hope and peace. I do know I can pray. Will you join me?

Dear Father in Heaven, We come to you today and thank you that you are God and will always rule this earth with truth and grace. You know the pain and suffering in America this week. Actually, you are well aware of the pain and suffering all over our world, particularly in England, in the last month. 

We thank you for your divine providence on the baseball field last week and so grateful for the U.S. Capitol police who responded. Lord, what a picture of your grace! We know that so many more would have been wounded or killed, if not for them being there. We pray for healing of all those injured in the attack. Heal our hurting nation.

We come to you, Father. Where else can we go to make sense of such utterly senseless acts that occur? Who else can we trust but You? We can trust in political leaders, but they can fail us. We can trust in social media and news, but they fail us too. We can trust in ourselves, but we can deceive ourselves. So, Lord, help us trust You, not just now, but each day. 

Thank you, God, that you were there that day on the baseball field. Amidst the horror, you were very present and working against the evil. Lord, would this be a reminder to us today that you are worthy of our trust? You are the only One who can sustain the weight of our hurt, grief and aches of life. Lord, would you use the horror on the baseball field to ignite our hearts to pray for our country, for our leaders and for each other. May we be agents of peace and unity. Show us when we are quick to judge one another. Teach us to love and speak well of others. Inspire us to make a difference in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." Psalm 56:3

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1

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

Monday, June 12, 2017

Lessons From Summer Camp

When I was younger, I worked as a summer staff counselor at a camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains. I adored the Redwoods, and cycling around Carmel and Monterey. Taking the camp staff to Giant’s games wasn’t a bad gig either! However, there was one thing that made it tough. I was far away from my friends in Dallas and family in Ohio.

Back then, there were no cell phones. Indeed, this was truly the dark ages. In fact, if you wanted to make a call, you had to go down to the main phone in the camp lobby and make it there. If lucky, you could make a collect call to your family. (Note: For those not following me, a collect call is also known as a reverse charge call in which the calling party wants to place a call at the called party’s expense.) 

During this season, I was faced with a question that has stuck with me for life. Who will I turn to during times of loneliness? Letters and periodic calls didn’t quite fill the gap of being so far from home. Cell phones, facetime and facebook weren’t on the scene yet. Even surrounded by a ton of campers, I struggled with loneliness.

Today, we are constantly triggered by beeps, pings and little messages on our smart phone. Regardless of where we are or what we’re doing, we can hear those noises and quickly be alerted to someone trying to connect with us. When we’re so wired for continual distraction, it’s hard to really think about God or need Him for that matter. We can easily find someone to call upon.

It was during my camp experience, I enjoyed quiet reflection as I biked around the Santa Cruz Mountains. I loved running my dog on the Roaring Camp Loop Trail, captivated by the magnificent Redwoods all around me. I became more comfortable with times of solitude and silence, finding solace in God through worship and reading my Bible.

I look back on that summer with gratitude. I learned to call upon God in my loneliness. How will you choose to spend your summer?  Will you take time for God? He’s waiting for you.

“And he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own…” C. Austin Miles (In the Garden)

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

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

Monday, June 5, 2017

Monday Morning Casting

Most weekends in the summer, Ben and I will mount our kayaks and head to the Guadelupe River. Early in the season, there are always some fun rapids on kayaks, due to the spring rains. Along the way, we’ll make a few stops in select areas where the fishing is primo. We're always on the lookout for Mr. Big, who lurks through the mighty waters, avoiding the lure. Some day, we'll get him.

Ben reminds me of Mr.-River-Runs-Through-It. He knows all about fly fishing and loves to teach those that join us on our weekend adventures. Fly fishing is an angling method in which the artificial “fly” is used to catch the fish. Casting a nearly weightless fly requires casting techniques that are different from other kinds of fishing. I’m still learning the rhythm of casting, but catching on fairly well. Honestly, I’m probably like most human beings…. I like fishing, but I love fishing when I actually catch fish!

But, here it is Monday morning and I want to share with you about a different type of casting. In 1 Peter 5:7, the verse says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 

As you and I face a new week and the summer season, we bring with us cares, anxieties and worries too big for us. We're not equipped to carry these big concerns. They're out of our control. A cancer diagnosis. A new job. A loss of job. A family challenge. A busy summer. Worry about our country and world. Wisdom for pressing decisions and choices. Dealing with challenging relationships. Casting our anxiety on God is necessary for enjoying God’s perfect peace.

Honestly, who else would you and I give our anxieties, worries and cares to? Who could gently hold and handle all these things that can consume us? We can share our worries with friends or family, but sooner or later, they have no answers. Our faithful God not only cares for us, but loves us with a perfect love. God can and will quiet our heart and give us peace. Perfect peace.

As we turn the page to summer, will you cast your anxieties upon your Heavenly Father? He will most certainly catch every worry or care you cast in His direction. Count on it. They're not too big for Him.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.” Philippians 4:6

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