Droughts

Due to the low water conditions, we haven’t been able to take our kayaks on the Guadalupe River for the last few years. The drought here may have lifted this past week! Finally, the Guadeloupe River is on a big rise. The river flooded for the first time in almost 6 years! 

It’s no fun kayaking when there’s little water in the river. It’s a real pain. You must keep popping out and dragging the kayak where there is little water. Finally, kayaking on the river is in our future!

I’ve been in my share of droughts. One year, while working at a camp in Northern California, we had restricted shower times. Here in Texas, we’ve had restrictions on watering our yards for years, resulting in a dismal yard by the time August rolls around.

Droughts can affect us personally. What do you hunger to see happen in your life that hasn’t happened? Have you endured excessive stress and little rest? Have you faced ongoing personal challenges? Are you going through intense work demands? It can feel overwhelming to face any one of these drought-like circumstances! We are left feeling depleted or empty.

It’s very tempting to let my droughts affect my spirit, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It affects everything. It’s times like this, that I must reflect on how God has worked in my life in the past. I have to remember that He is still a good God and has my best interests in mind. Over the years, I’ve been drawn so much to this verse in Jeremiah 17:7-8 that describes a person who trusts in the Lord:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

The passage paints a picture of those who trust God and have confidence in Him no matter what happens! He describes faithful people as being like trees that grow beside a river. Their roots extend to the deepest parts of the river and they are nourished by the water. I see those beautiful Willow trees along the Guadalupe River and picture this verse! The trees are not affected by heatwaves or droughts because they’re deeply rooted in the river. And that can be each one of us too!

I get it. Droughts are hard to get through. But, as we trust in God, He can help us withstand even the harshest of circumstances. He helps us thrive, even when things aren’t the way we wish them to be. 

“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You, my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taLDKHfpHsE

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

A Simple Life

Anyone who knew Catherine knew she was full of life, joy, and kindness. She would light up a room with her smile. The Y was her second home, always participating in senior events and group exercise classes. You couldn’t help but see Catherine’s love for the superhero Wonder Woman. Many had given her Wonder Woman T-shirts or hats and she wore them proudly.

Catherine was so much a part of our lives there at Harvey Najim Y that we couldn’t possibly imagine life without her. Until we had to imagine life without her.  Catherine unexpectedly passed away last week. She was an integral part of our Y family and we are mourning her loss. Catherine died unexpectedly last week.

What most didn’t know was that Catherine had a very tough life. At one point in her youth, she and her family were homeless. Catherine lived a simple life. She had very little. But you wouldn’t know it, because she was always talking about what she DID have. She had joy, her Y family, her church, her serving opportunities, her library and her Y group classes. You would never see her speaking poorly of someone else, gossiping or slandering. Catherine would notice things others didn’t see, like a bird or butterfly, simply because they were God’s creation. If you were looking to connect with a mover and shaker, you’d completely miss Catherine. Many people passed Catherine by.

God didn’t pass Catherine by. Catherine knew Jesus and is now experiencing seeing Him face to face. I think Jesus must have loved Catherine’s childlike, loving, and simple life.

Jesus lived a simple life too. Because he lived a simple life, He was able to focus on what mattered most. He wants us to know that we don’t need all thing things or experiences that we do. Jesus wants us to know that He doesn’t see the rich and important people any different than He sees those who are poor and seemingly unimportant.

Adele Ahlberg Calhoun writes in the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook “Jesus teaches us that freedom is not found in having and doing but in keeping God and his will first in our heart. ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Matthew 6:19-21) Jesus wants us to know that we don’t need all the things or experiences we think we do. What we really need is to keep first things first- Jesus and his kingdom. Life becomes much more simple when one thing matters most.”

How much of your identity is wrapped up in what you own, where you go, who you know, and who you are? What “Catherines” might you miss seeing simply because they may not be “that important?”  Catherine taught me a lot in life. Maybe you as well.

‘Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little.” (Philippians 4:11-12, The Message)

Take a listen: Living Hope by Phil Wickham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1fwZtKJSM

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