Simply Caring

I went to prison this weekend. It was quite an experience! I just got out. But, I didn't get out with out being renewed and challenged in my faith!

Over the weekend, 42 of our volunteer men went into the prison each day while many of us women were busy at a nearby garage-turned-kitchen.  As an outside team, we made yummy meals for the inmates, prayed for them, and provided visible ways of showing love. One job was to put together paper chains, each one listing a name and city of the person praying for them.

As we assembled these simple paper chains, I glanced at names and cities from around the world listed on each chain. It took several days to assemble them! The men in white (inmates) were blown away seeing these chains strewn around the gym! They couldn’t fathom that so many people cared! Why would people they didn’t even know pray for them?

We’re now out of prison and recalling the highlights of our time serving. We loved watching the inmates’ hearts soften over the course of the weekend. They saw God’s love demonstrated through people! Can you imagine what it might be like to be incarcerated for 5 years? 15 years? Life sentence? Can you imagine what it would be like to have family disown you? What about not getting a letter for years? These inmates felt loved and accepted…some for the very first time!

There are hurting people all around us that just need to be noticed, loved, accepted and cared for. We can be so busy living our lives that we miss out on simply caring for others. Whether in the office, at a store or restaurant, there are people everywhere who need a bit of encouragement and love. YOU can be that difference maker. Why not start today?

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10

“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me.”  Matthew 25:36

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

Life After Easter

After a busy day of food preparations, hosting a crowd complete with an Easter Egg hunt, I can find the Monday after a bit tough. I’m usually dragging. Action packed weekends can tend to zap us. Who’s up for an Easter Monday holiday?

It occurred to me that those who followed Jesus may find it hard to get back to their routine come Monday morning. The intensity of the week had to have taken its toll on Jesus’ friends. And then to hear that Jesus was alive!  What???? Check out Mary Magdalene and the other Mary as they take a peek into the tomb:

“After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn’t move.

The angel spoke to the women: 'There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed.'

Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.

The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. 'Good morning!' he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, 'You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee and I’ll meet them there.'"(Matthew 28:1-10, MSG)

Put yourself in their place. What would it have been like to look up and see Jesus greet them? UNBELIEVABLE! For them, the day after Easter was the best day ever! The One they had seen crucified was now alive and they couldn’t help but spread the news!

So, how will you live life after Easter? Life after Easter can be the best day ever….. once you understand what the day before was all about.

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