Listening Well

Are you a good listener? Check out some of the questions that might help you evaluate your listening skills:

1. Do you often find yourself interrupting others?
2. Do you tend to focus on your thoughts while someone else is speaking?
3. Do you make eye contact with the speaker and pay attention to their body language?
4. Do you seek to understand the speaker’s feelings and perspective?
5. Do you try to listen without judgment or criticism?
6. Do you form your response while the other person is speaking?
7. How often do you interrupt when you have something to say in a conversation?
8. After someone tells you a story, how often do you follow up with your own story?

We are constantly distracted in the fast-paced world we live in. Between checking our phones and other interruptions, we often fail to listen when others are speaking.

It’s easy to respond to a listening quiz without truly changing our listening habits. Listening is about loving. It’s about cultivating a heart that is open and receptive to God’s voice and the needs of others. This kind of listening reflects the character of Jesus.

James 1:19-20 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.”

What would it look like to be attentive and receptive to the words and perspectives of others?  How would being “slow to speak” change your communication? (thinking carefully before speaking) Are you easily provoked or quick to lash out in anger? God’s righteousness is characterized by patience, compassion, and humility. It seems that genuine righteousness comes from actively pursuing God and responding to others with grace rather than anger.

When we discipline ourselves to listen more than we talk, we can learn so much! There is wisdom gained by listening, observing, encouraging, and not rushing to judgment. It doesn't hurt to practice this!

I’m not sure how you judge yourself as a listener. For me, I know for sure that I can become a much better listener! Being quick to listen opens the door to better communication because it demonstrates love.  May God help us grow to be excellent, loving listeners!

“Listening is a gift of spiritual significance that you can learn to give to others.  When you listen, you give one a sense of importance, hope, and love that he or she may not receive any other way. Through listening, we nurture and validate the feelings one has, especially when he or she experiences difficulties in life.”  H. Norman Wright

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

A Life Without Lack

What comes to mind when you see the words “The Lord is my shepherd?” Many adults remember memorizing this Psalm when they were little. I’ve heard it said that if Psalm 23 were a song, it would be number one on the charts. Dallas Willard writes, “These words are a sentiment carved on tombstones more often than a reality written in our lives.”

Psalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” What does this mean?

It is tragic that many people go through life without coming under God’s direction and can testify, “The Lord IS my shepherd.”  What would it look like to be like David, the writer of the Psalm, and say with confidence, “The Lord IS my shepherd?”

Psalm 23 describes the life that is available to anyone who will allow God to be their Shepherd. When we know that the Lord is our Shepherd, we come to realize we’re in the care of someone else. We’re not the ones in charge. We are aware and enjoying the abundance and provisions of God even when circumstances don’t go our way. Dallas Willard writes, “A life without lack is a life in which one is completely satisfied and sustained, no matter what happens. No matter what happens! How do we gain a deeper understanding?

First and foremost, we must have an accurate view of God and who He is.
Phillip Keller writes, “Our view of Him is often too small, too cramped, too provincial, too human.” Have you considered that your view of God may be too small? If we don’t understand God’s true character, we will never gain the confidence to believe He is completely sufficient to provide all we need.

How does one lack nothing? Well, first, let’s understand that there is absolutely nothing that God lacks. When we understand this, we can grasp a little more that the Lord is our Shepherd because He has everything we need!

With God as our Shepherd, we can live without any kind of fear.  Consider that sheep do not rest much because of the anxiety of attack. But the shepherd’s presence with the sheep can help them not only live without fear but lie down in green pastures. Your Shepherd cares for you. Your Shepherd has your back. Your shepherd guides you. Your Shepherd will never let you go. Your Shepherd loves you completely.

I don’t know about you, but there are so many times when I feel insufficient and weak. I lack in so many areas of my life!  However, when I live like the Lord is my Shepherd, I get what it means to say “I lack nothing” even when there are things I lack!

Dallas Willard  writes, “The life without lack is simply a matter of having one’s mind fully and constantly fixed upon God as he is, confident that He will provide everything that we need.”  (page 48, Life Without Lack, Dallas Willard) Oh, may we experience this type of life!

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

Fiesta Wreath Invasion

Fiesta in San Antonio is officially over! The Fiesta wreath on our door couldn’t come down quickly enough. During Fiesta, many people place beautiful wreaths on their doors, as do we. The wreaths are bursting in color and cultural flair, usually adorned in handmade paper, plastic flowers, colorful mesh, and a PERFECT spot for a bird to build its nest.

Every morning, we’d open the door slightly and shake the Fiesta wreath, and greet the birdies. Sure enough, they would fly away immediately. Many a time, we’d leave or come home and forget the birdies. We were never quite ready for them to fly out right at us.

To top it off, over the two weeks of Fiesta, three times, a birdie got into the house and would fly from room to room. Each time, they overstayed their welcome. We found out that the Reacher grabber tool was the perfect implement for guiding the birdie out of the house.

The birdies might have thought the Fiesta wreath was a pretty and cozy place to choose for their new home. They didn’t know the temporary nature of the Fiesta wreath. They didn’t realize when it flew into the house that it was trapped from its real home, the great outdoors. They were just drawn to the beauty and glitz of our temporary Fiesta wreath.

I felt sorry for the birdies. They looked exhausted and irritated each time they had to leave their Fiesta wreath's temporary home.

Often, we can live a lot like these birdies.  We can be drawn to the beauty and glitz of the world around us, not realizing how temporary it is. Worldly ways often emphasize materialism, personal desires, and worldly success. Worldly ways are all about us looking good, being good, feeling good, and making an impression. Wordily ways, though glitzy and fun, leave us feeling empty.

When we find our home in Christ, we recognize Jesus as our source of belonging, security, and purpose. Our true home is not a physical house but a spiritual connection with the God of the universe. He’s not a temporary home but an eternal home. We can find comfort and strength with Christ as our home in difficult times, knowing He is our anchor and source of peace. We all long for safety and refuge—and we can find it only in God, our safe refuge.

As you start your day, take a moment to meditate and pray through these verses. Thank God for being your safe, secure, and eternal home.

Psalm 4:8 “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 16:8  “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 27:5 “For in the day of trouble, he will keep me safe in the shelter of his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tent; he will set me high upon a rock.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

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

Coach Pop

Last week, after 29 years of coaching the San Antonio Spurs, Coach Popovich retired and assumed the new role of President of Basketball Operations for the Spurs. Coach Pop had suffered a stroke in November and hadn’t coached since. In a statement, he said, “While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as a head coach.”

Coach Pop is known and loved by so many people. Some years ago, I sent him a card and thanked him for how he responded to a certain situation. It wasn’t but a few weeks later that I received a nice card with his gratitude and thoughts on the situation. Coach Pop took the time to write me? Wow.

What I love the most about Pop is how much he poured into other people. So many NBA players had comments about Pop and the influence he had on their lives.

Dejounte Murray, a former Spur, said, “I love you, Pop, and I thank God for allowing basketball to bring us together. The best part, besides you being the greatest coach ever, is the way you care for everyone genuinely off the court. In my darkest days, you were always a shoulder to lean on and cry on, and I will never forget that. Shoutout to Coach Pop 4Life!"

DeMar DeRozan, a former Spur, said “My pops had passed when I was playing in San Antonio. We were stuck in Charlotte and I called the GM like “yo, bro, I’m about to fly home tonight, I’m about to try to get a plane outta here, I gotta get home. My pops just passed. I didn’t want anybody to know. I didn’t want it to be all in the media. Literally 90 seconds later, I hear a knock on the door. It’s Pop. Pop sat in a room with me and cried with me for about two hours. He was like, ‘I’m not leaving until you leave.’ And that just showed the person he was.”

I couldn’t help but notice Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili on each side of Coach Pop as he came to the podium at the press conference. It was obvious that Coach Pop had a huge impact on their lives. Coach Pop spoke about them, “Timmy and Manu, who have been here for all of my workouts at The Rock. They say it’s because they love me and want to be there in case I fall- I call it payback, cause they give the rehab people new ideas of things to do to me. You’re not fooling anybody, especially you, Timmy.”

So much love in this Spurs family! Such a hard time, but a beautiful time as Coach Pop retires from coaching. I shed some tears for sure. One takeaway for me? Pouring into other people has lasting effects. So many people’s lives are changed forever because of Coach Pop’s influence and love. He took the time to love, listen, and care.

Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Each day, we have the opportunity to love, listen, and care for people. What if we saw the lasting impact that could have on others?

“You do not need to be extraordinary. You need to be ordinary, inhabited by the extraordinary life of God. A word, a meal, or a cup of cold water has the capacity to bring the life of God to this world and delight His heart.” Diane Langberg, PhD

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

Burden Bearing

We can become so overwhelmed by so many people’s problems. Why? Because people have problems. It doesn’t take too many conversations to see the enormous pain many people carry. At one time or another, we all will.

We all probably know someone with cancer or other physical issues. The physical burdens that many carry are more than we can imagine! Other people are going through hardship with their kids. Still others have emotional and mental health issues that are so overwhelming. Some just want to meet the right person and have a lasting relationship.

How do we help carry others’ burdens? How do we truly love people without feeling like the burden is on us? Galations 6:2 says, “Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  If God calls us to do this, how?

We can take on responsibility for people or situations that God has not given us to carry. We can feel obligated to do certain things because we feel we ‘should’ instead of what God is calling us to. What would it look like to carry others’ burdens well, without being overburdened ourselves?

Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus gives an invitation to each of us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Jesus offers us His yoke when we're weary and weighed down, either by our burdens or others. Perhaps we’re carrying a weight God doesn’t want us to carry.

Just think…wouldn’t it be wonderful to walk through the day and lovingly carry people’s burdens with Jesus’ help? When I try to take on the burdens of one person after another, I can tune out, block out, or simply ignore those who are struggling. I can miss out on the blessing that God is giving me to lovingly care for them.

When I get that Jesus wants me to “yoke” with Him, my attitude changes. I have a sigh of relief. I’m not alone. I can care for others with Jesus’ help! In Matthew 11:28-30, a yoke was a farming tool, made of wood to connect the necks of two oxen. The Greek word is chrestos, meaning “well-fitted.” A poorly fitted wooden yoke around your neck would be a massive challenge. It would be a burden, heavy and hard to bear. A well-fitted yoke, however, would be a joy as you walked deeply connected to Jesus. Jesus would carry those burdens with you and guide you.

As we’re yoked with Jesus and experience His presence, we can practice the ministry of presence with others. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for others is just to be with them. We can listen. We can care for someone’s physical needs.  We can pray with them and pray for them.

As we yoke ourselves with Christ, we won’t grow weary in bearing the burdens of others.

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

God Cares

Sometimes we need to celebrate the small wins in our lives! It was just over a month ago that I broke both elbows and a wrist in a freak accident. The long process of healing from an injury can be long and lonely. Few people know and understand the challenges until they've gone through something difficult. Recently, I celebrated with Ben some small achievements.

Just two weeks ago, I was able to lift a fork in my left hand to my mouth and eat with my left hand. Since the accident, I picked up food with my fork in my left hand, did a quick transfer to the right hand, and then ate with my right hand. (I couldn’t get my left hand to my mouth.) Big win! Also, just a few days ago, I was able to get a scrunchie in my hair to make a ponytail. I was so happy! 

Sometimes, I don’t think we think God cares about the details of our lives. Often, people are not that curious about the details of our lives, so why would God be? I’m so thankful that God is always present and ready to celebrate, come alongside, encourage, support, cry with, and care for us….no matter what we’re going through.

Check out Luke 12:7, which says, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: you are of more value than many sparrows.”  

Psalm 139:1-4 says, “You have searched me, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and all my ways. You know everything before a word escapes my lips.”

Psalm 37:23-25 says, “The LORD directs the steps of the godly; he delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fail, for the LROD holds them by the hand.”

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t just care about the “big deals” in our lives, but everyday moments, every detail, every care, every concern, every fear, every painful moment. He loves each of us so much! He is our Heavenly Father, and his love knows no bounds. He is in control of all things, even the tiny, insignificant details of our lives. He cares about my small victories! He cares about yours.

We have a God who knows what we need even before we ask Him. God knew (and even cared) that I wanted to put my hair back in a scrunchie and couldn’t. It’s such a small thing, but He cares!

God invites you to share the details of your life with Him. Others may not know what you're going through, but God does. No issue, worry, or concern is too small to involve Him.

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

Life After Easter

What goes on the day after Easter? A. Your dog finds the leftover Easter Eggs behind a bush and partakes. B. You spend time cleaning up all the cascarones spread through your house. C. You eat the remaining jellybeans that are your favorite color and leave the rest for others. D. You consider all that took place on Easter and allow the resurrection to change you. 

How can Jesus’ resurrection change us? Today is not a day to “get back to normal”. Easter is a new beginning! Jesus’ death on the cross, the empty grave, and the resurrected Jesus give us hope. Jesus' resurrection gave the disciples hope! Take a look at John 20:19-20:

“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”

It was the first day of the week, and the disciples locked themselves away from people. Could we possibly have known the pain in their hearts? How would they pick up the pieces and go on after their beloved Jesus was gone? Life seemed to stop. Even what Jesus had taught them seemed like a distant memory.

We see in the text of John 20:19-20 that the doors were locked. This gives the idea that they were not only shut but also secured and locked against unwelcome visitors. All at once, Jesus came and stood in their midst.  We don’t know how Jesus got into the room, but I doubt it was in a normal way. 

Just to be honest, any of us, if we were sitting in that room, would have flipped out. This strange experience would suggest that resurrected bodies were not subject to the same limitations as our present bodies. Just think…. Jesus could have gone anywhere. He could have done anything. But He sought out His people and He brought a word of peace to them. The words ‘Peace to you’ are an assurance that there is no cause to fear, and that all is well, for they were alarmed by his manifestation. (Trench, Enduring Word)

The resurrected Jesus gives peace. Something happened in that room that night. The disciples saw the risen Lord. In time, the disciples became more and more confident of what they believed. Acts 4:13 says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”

When Jesus came back to life, they came alive. They would not stop sharing about Jesus and what He had done. The resurrection changed the disciples. It can change us, too.  Could it be true that others recognize that we, too, have been with Jesus?

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

Jesus' Surrender

Imagine knowing you had a week to live. How would you spend it? Jesus knew he had a week to live. He knew he was going to be betrayed by Judas. He even knew where He was going to be betrayed. How did Jesus live in these agonizing moments? Check out Luke 22:39-46.

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you will not fall into temptation.’ He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt, and prayed. ‘Father, if you are willing, take this cup form me; yet not my will, but yours be done.’ An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. ‘Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them, ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.’”

One thing I notice that is significant in the passage is that Jesus knelt and prayed. The common form of Jewish people praying back then was standing with your eyes lifted to heaven and your arms outstretched. So, when Jesus knelt, he was pleading with God intensely. The various gospels tell us that He not only prayed once to the Father, but three times. (Matthew 26:39, 42) Jesus' mindset just before his crucifixion was a total submission to the will of the Father. He didn’t want the “cup,” which was Jesus’ suffering. He was expressing to God a natural human desire to avoid the pain and suffering that would come with being crucified. Remember, Jesus is fully God but also fully human. He felt the struggle. He knew what was awaiting Him.

Oh, that we would have that kind of persevering prayer. We see that He was in such deep sorrow that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. That was a sign of extreme anguish. As much as He wanted out of the suffering, He wanted the Father’s will. He prays, “If it is possible.” Jesus would have preferred another way but was committed to the Father’s will. If you ever questioned that Jesus was fully man, this verse shows us clearly!

After he rose from prayer, he went to the disciples and lo and behold found them asleep! At Jesus' moment of deep pain, his disciples were asleep! I love that the disciples were with Jesus as they saw Jesus model the importance of prayer and surrendering one’s will to God. But they failed to stay awake and watch with Jesus. Luke speaks to the sorrow they had. The grief that they felt at the sight of their Master’s distress overwhelmed them to the point of sleep. Jesus woke them and encouraged them to pray so they wouldn’t fall into temptation. In Jesus’ sorrowful moment, He was thinking of them and their good instead of how sad it felt that they failed to support Him.

This week is Holy Week, when we consider what it must have been like for Jesus to walk to the cross on our behalf. Can we follow in Jesus’ steps? “Father…I want your will, not mine.” When we do, we can be sure that our God hears us.

“Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we don’t have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us draw near then with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

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

Got Questions?

I think our questions can keep us from God. I don’t have any statistical proof on this. Yet, when people share their reasons for keeping God at a distance, I sense they’ve had a bad experience that turned them away from God. Sometimes, it’s what they experienced in a church or with other Christians. Others can’t reconcile how bad things can happen to good people. Still, others aren’t even sure that God exists. Others just live with doubts, too paralyzed to seek answers to their questions.

I’ve had my share of questions for God, too. I had questions about being single for so long. I longed for kids, but God said, “No.”  Why? I’ve questioned God about how Christians could be so mean and abusive. I’ve even asked God more recently how could He allow one bad thing after another.

Despite my questions, I truly believe we should take note of our questions and seek God for answers. I often think we want God to explain Himself to us like He is a human being. We want to see Him on our level. The reality is that He is not on our level. He is God. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I’m so glad that God is God, and we are not! His ways are perfect, and that means He never makes mistakes.

So why would a loving God allow bad things to happen? I honestly have asked Him the same thing. You and I may never know the answer to that question. The Book of Job deals with this issue. Job was a righteous man (Job 1:1), yet he suffered in so many ways that it was hard to fathom! God allowed Satan to do everything he wanted to except kill him. Job’s response is found in Job 13:15: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” Job 1:21: “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away, may the name of the LORD be praised.” Job didn’t get all that was happening nor understand why God had allowed these things. But Job did know that God was good, and he would continue to trust in him. God uses the bad things in our lives for the ultimate good.

Why do Christians act as they do? Christians certainly aren’t perfect and sin like everyone else. But God calls Christians to be different. Sadly, I think many have distanced themselves from God because of how Christians have treated them. The behavior of some who call themselves Christians can be quite awful. There will always be Christians not acting like Christians. But God doesn’t want His children to conform to other Christians. He calls us to conform to the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) He is patient as we grow in our relationship with Him. He longs for us to be patient with others and forgive each other as we grow in Christ.

Got questions? Well, why not pursue answers to your questions?

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers- most of which are never even seen- don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, not to be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way He works fuss over these things, but you know about God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Matthew 6:30-33 The Message

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

Gift of Thirst

When you have multiple broken bones, it doesn’t take long to learn that you’re somewhat limited. Your mind says one thing, and the body says another:  Oh, I have time to bake some sourdough bread. Nope, I can’t do that. Maybe I could go to the barn and catch a quick ride on Daisy. No, that’s not an option. Well, it’s spring cleaning time, and I could do a massive reorg. Highly unlikely without help. I think I’ll blow dry my hair for going out tonight. Nope, can’t do that.  The things I long to do, I can’t.

Where does my striving come from? Why is it so hard to rest and be still? In my forced rest, the Lord is reminding me of his steadfast love. Consider this beautiful portion of Psalm 63:1-3:

“O God, you are my God: earnestly I seek you.
My soul thirsts for you.
My flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So, I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
Beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
My lips will praise you.
So, I will bless you as long as I live.
In your name I will lift up my hands.”

David is in a desolate, hot place as he writes this Psalm. He is probably fleeing from Saul. I think most of us couldn’t possibly comprehend his situation, but suffice it to say, it was incredibly tough. But notice this. It’s when David was in this difficult position, it drove him to a deep yearning for God. He longed for His presence and provision.

Perhaps God allows our thirst to draw us to Him. When we’re in a difficult position and can’t turn to the things we THINK should satisfy, God shows us what truly does satisfy.

This has me thinking about the gift of thirst. David had that longing. He compared his strong desire to seek God to thirsting for water in a desert. Why was David so motivated to pursue God? It's because the loving-kindness of God was better than life itself.

The Lord has stopped me in my tracks. I want the gift of thirst. I pray that through this difficult season, God will renew and intensify my thirst for Him. I want my ultimate satisfaction in nothing else but Him. May we seek God with the same intense thirst David had.

Take a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhTAJ49MQ0

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

God is With Us

 I’m embarrassed I don’t have a better story for a freak accident. I’ve never fallen off my horse. I’ve not been in a serious car accident. No, I just tripped. That’s it. We had just returned from Rodeo Houston and were heading to another horse show in Dripping Springs. I was rolling my large tack box toward the barn and my long spurs got caught in the box all at once. Down I went.

The injury report includes a left wrist hairline fracture, a left elbow break, and a right elbow break. Things have gotten complicated for this left-handed,  can’t-sit-still, never-a-dull-moment gal. Consider not being able to do normal things like putting a scrunchie in your hair or earrings on your ears or carrying a ½ gallon of milk. Life can change so quickly.

I typically write these blogs for the purpose of sharing how God shows up in everyday life. With this difficulty, I’d rather hide and not share. But I can’t. God shows up in this as well and I want to lean into Him to walk through it.

One of my goals is “To be a peaceful and loving presence where I live, work, and play.” I’ve been thinking about this a lot. I can’t be a peaceful and loving presence without the nearness of God. I find this verse exactly what I need. Maybe it hits you as well:

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you, when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.’” Isaiah 43:2-3

In this verse, we see the reason why God’s children do not need to fear. No matter what situation or circumstance comes our way, we will not be overcome by them. Why? Because God is with us!  Every situation, every fear, every frightening bit of news, every hardship you have, EVERYTHING. He is a God who will strengthen, help, and uphold us. He is personal and attends to the concerns of our hearts. For example, God knows exactly what concerns me in this crisis. He knows my desire to get back on my horse. He knows my love for cooking and tending to our home. He knows how this lefty loves to journal and write out my prayers. He knows my sadness that I can’t do these things.

Can we ask God to carry us through our difficulties with a peaceful, joyful spirit? Yes, indeed, and that is my goal! He has created us and redeemed us. God has given us a new name “mine.” That’s our personal God. The God of the universe has called your name. You and I belong to Him.  

Trials are not evidence that God is against you and me. They instead, are a reminder that even in the hardest of times, God will never us and is walking with us each moment. I’m gonna hold tight to Him and learn all I can.

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

Reach Out and Touch

We took my horse to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo this past week. It was pretty cool to show there! Since it was Spring Break, many people were strolling through the barn. Often, they stopped and asked about Daisy.

I will never forget one family. Daisy was standing in the aisle, and we were just getting ready to saddle her. We were busy getting her ready for a class, but I sensed this family was experiencing something special and needed time for them. They were excited about meeting Daisy but scared to touch her. I found out they were from Afghanistan and had never touched a horse. The woman wanted me to help her reach her hand and touch Daisy. The joy on her face when she did touch her! I’m not sure I’ll forget that moment.

Sometimes, touching something for the first time feels magical. I imagine when the women hemorrhaging most of her life touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, it was an amazing feeling. The story is told in Mark 5:21-34. It also appears in Matthew and Luke. A woman had been bleeding for 12 years, heard about Jesus, and believed that touching his robe would heal her. So, she came behind Jesus in a crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. Jesus immediately turned and said “Who touched me?” The woman was afraid, yet came forward and told Jesus it was her. Jesus said to her “Your faith has made you well.” The woman was healed immediately.

Jesus saw in this woman so much more than others saw. He saw her faith to reach out to Him even despite her unclean condition. It required strength and courage to reach out to Jesus. If someone recognized her as unclean, it would be all over! He knew the woman took a huge risk to get close enough to Him to experience healing. The woman was in a desperate situation. She must have been so lonely and tired of trying to find healing. She was determined to find healing. Jesus healed her and then called her daughter. She was no longer an outcast!

The woman was healed because of her faith. It was a risk. Sometimes, we need to trust enough and risk like the woman in the Bible. Take the risk. Reach out. Touch him. Trust Him.

Going back to the Afghan family. As a lover of horses, I hope this woman, after touching Daisy, might help her love horses, but all the animals she sees at the rodeo. Even more, I pray that each of us might reach out and touch Jesus. May we find the faith we need to reach out and touch the Lord so that we might find help where we need help and healing where we need healing. Jesus is willing.

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

Treasures in Heaven

In one week, I encountered not one, not two, but three angry drivers. As I reflected on each one, I had to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong. In all three scenarios, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. One person tried to run me off the road as I wasn’t fast enough for him. (Most people don’t use the words “not fast enough” to describe my driving.) Another person, because I honked at his bad behavior, decided to start to pass me and stay parallel with me. I just minded my own business and didn’t even look at him. Who wants someone’s finger to brighten their day?

As I reflected today about the near misses I encountered on the roads, I recognized how grateful I was that God protected me from an accident. I realized my need for peace when I reflected on the close calls. This verse in Luke 12:32-24 came to mind:

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be.”

There are so many times I need the calming voice of Jesus and His presence to walk me through a trying situation. Here in this verse, I see that this “little flock”, is God’s flock. What safer place can we be than near Jesus? He is our Good Shepherd.

Like this verse, I find that I can seek out the wrong treasure when I'm vulnerable. I may look to people for safety, approval, or stability. I may look to things to satisfy. I may try to replay something in my mind over and over to make it true. I may even scroll through social media to find something that resembles something to satisfy me. When I choose anyone or anything outside Jesus, it never goes well.

I’m so grateful to be a part of Jesus’ little flock. This image is of a flock of sheep small enough that the shepherd knows each one personally and intimately. He knows us by name and our personalities, idiosyncrasies, and what each person faces. He knows our hurts, pains, and fears. He knows what brings us joy! It is Jesus’ pleasure to take care of His flock. He finds great delight in watching over his flock. He is always present, loving each of us perfectly. Why wouldn’t we want to know Him?

Let’s seek the treasure that will never fail. Our Good Shepherd wants us to loosen our grip on the things of this world and seek His Kingdom. It’s hard to follow Jesus in a very broken world. Everything seems to be shaking around us. Life will not be easy. Jesus invites us to reduce the things we treasure in this world and focus instead on treasures from heaven.

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

This Too Shall Pass?

There’s a difference between the person who has never had a kidney stone and the person who has. When you haven’t had a kidney stone, you say something like this: “Wow, that sounds bad! I hear those are painful!” The person who has had a kidney stone is more specific about their reality: “I thought I was going to die. The pain was mind-blowing.”

This last week, I experienced a kidney stone while swimming. I thought I pulled a muscle and after massaging the muscle, it seemed better. Things went downhill in the next few hours. I was alone at home and all at once, overcome by so much pain, I could hardly breathe. The pain was excruciating. I called a friend when I couldn’t get my husband. Thankful for both, I was able to get to urgent care and subsequently the hospital emergency room. After a long day there, I got released, armed with meds to sustain me.

Who doesn’t want out of their pain? All I could think of was “Help me with my pain! I can’t take it!” It’s only normal to want to be well. We want to be over what is bothering us. That’s only normal. There’s a great quote on Pinterest: “This too shall pass. It might pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.” I guess it sounds like a good saying to post in your office, but I need a bit more encouragement than that. It sounds like massive pain is involved in that quote.

The phrase “this too shall pass” isn’t directly found in the Bible. However, this verse in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 seems appropriate for dealing with any time of pain, burden, or suffering we carry: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

For the believer in Christ, this verse says that temporary hardships will eventually pass and be replaced by something greater; essentially conveying the idea that “this too shall pass.” When we look at what is seen, all we see is the light troubles, even though it doesn’t seem very light! But when we look at the things not seen, then we can see and appreciate an eternal glory.

In our short time of distress and pain, the result will be God’s richest blessing upon us. Being human, we just want out of our pain as soon as possible. What if God is allowing the pain for a purpose? Not to just get through it, but to gain more of God in it?

Will all things pass? Things do not always get better. The Bible never suggests that life will get better if you wait things out. It says that “the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 had hope. He knew that every day he was being made more like Christ. He knew he had to see his situation considering eternity. He looked at what he couldn’t see. We would be wise to do the same.

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

Shame

What is shame? Have you experienced shame? If so, where does shame show up in your mind and heart?

Shame often signifies a deep feeling of unworthiness or inadequacy related to one’s spiritual self. It frequently stems from the perception that one has fallen short somehow. It is usually a voice in our minds that whispers lies to us. Spiritual shame makes us feel like we don’t quite measure up. We feel like we’re not good enough. Shame is a deep-seated sense of unworthiness. You may feel like you’re not valuable and that people don’t like you.

Let’s look at Luke 5:12-15 to get a look at a man who experienced shame:

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, ‘Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.’ Yet the news about him spread all the more so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to have leprosy! It sounded beyond awful! Can you imagine the shame? Can you imagine living in a place where when people saw you, they moved away from you, keeping their distance? People with leprosy were treated as outcasts and shunned by society. They were excluded from their families and communities. They lived on the outskirts of town as beggars. They were required to warn others not to come near them.

I love when the leper saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” (5:12) The leper didn’t ask if he could heal him, but if He was willing to heal him. Jesus gave this leper the divine gift of compassion and healing. Kristi McLelland writes “Jesus moved toward him, reached for him, spoke to him, healed him, and sent him to the priests to fulfill Levitical law.”

It's Jesus who made the man clean. It’s Jesus who makes us clean, by inviting Jesus inviting into our hearts and experiencing His salvation. Don’t be ashamed of Jesus; He’s not ashamed of you! Jesus is the healer of wounded and shame-filled souls. Psalm 147:3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

You are a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made. Your worth and value come from God alone, not from what others say about you or do to you. You are who God says You are. 

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

Who's Safe?

You may have had your head in the sand last week if you missed the blockbuster trade with the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers. Luka Doncic was traded to LA for Anthony Davis, along with some other players. Luka was probably one of the most popular players in the history of Dallas sports. Dallas fans were not happy.

The Dallas Maverick franchise was built on loyalty, and respect, and treated players and fans as if they were part of a family. But Mark Cuban gave up his General Manager duties to a shoe salesman who was the one who traded Luka to LA. Fans were shocked, furious, and literally in disbelief. Luka seemed in shock as well. He thought he would spend the rest of his years playing basketball in Dallas.

Anthony Edwards, a player in the NBA, said “I’m scared…yeah, yeah, I’m scared. If my owner is gonna trade me let me know. When Luka got traded anybody can get traded at this point.” Nikola Jokic, another player, said “Seems like nobody’s safe, and probably should be that way, you know.” Devin Booker said “It’s crazy man. I really don’t know what to say about it. You just can’t predict it, it’s a business. They’re always having a conversation about you, so don’t think you’re safe at any point.”

I guess we should not be shedding too many tears for these guys getting traded. They’re super rich and can pretty much do what they want. However, wait. They're STILL human beings with feelings, friends, hopes, and dreams and a place they call home.

The truth is we can all struggle with feeling safe. Whether it’s feeling safe in our jobs, safe with our health, or safe with our education, deep down, we struggle too. We could be doing a half marathon one day and the next day experience a serious injury.

How do we find a sense of security and protection from the craziness of circumstances around us? No matter what life throws our way, we can find safety in Christ’s love. You and I are always cherished and loved by God. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we enjoy a personal relationship with Him. Jesus' love is unconditional. He will never trade you, leave you, reject you, or betray you. When we get that our identity and well-being are rooted in God’s love (not our exceptional work, title, skills, or popularity) we find a sure and safe haven in God’s love despite the external circumstances.

I love the words of Tabitha Panariso “We can be led into this life, not in fear of rejection, but in the safety of Christ’s love. We can live at peace with ourselves even when someone turns their back on us. We can come without our weapons to those who accuse us and reject us, fully believing that the Lord’s voice and authority forms, guides, and protects us.”(Loyal in His Love)

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

Life is a Vapor

One thing we’ve learned from the recent California fires and the airplane crashes is the stark reminder that life is fragile. I still can’t fathom that my friend and her husband lost everything in the California fires. It was grievous to see the pictures of the young skaters and adults who lost their lives in the DC crash.

How do we deal with the brevity of life? Look at these verses in The Message:

“And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today- at the latest, tomorrow- we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.’”  (James: 14-15 The Message)

It's so easy to think that life will just go the way we want and we will miss the problems and tragedies. Yet this verse in James tells us that life is a vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears.

Did those people boarding the plane wake up that morning and even consider that this might be their last day alive? I wonder if my friends from Altadena at the beginning of the year considered they might lose their home very soon. Not at all!

Why do we think we can boast about our future plans? Do we plan our lives realizing we can’t predict the future? Do we comprehend the fragility of our existence? If anything we’ve learned this week is of the uncertainty of life.

But wait! This verse also speaks about the importance of humility and dependence on God. By saying “if the Lord wills” we are acknowledging that our plans on totally contingent on God’s will. We can’t rely on our abilities.

Finally, are we aware of our need for God? This verse addresses people who are super confident in their own power and future. They think they know best. What would it look like if you daily demonstrated a humble reliance on God’s guidance?

Does this mean that we quit planning? Not at all! Instead, we practice gratitude for each day we’ve been given on this earth. We plan with prayer, asking God for wisdom and the Holy Spirit to guide us to know what to do in His timing. As we partner with God, He truly wants to guide us all the days of our lives.

Prayer: “Father, there’s no safer place to be in life or in death- than in Christ. Because you’ve hidden our lives in Jesus, not a hair can fall from our heads, not a breath can be taken from our lungs, and not a beat can be missed by our hearts apart from your sovereign purposes and pleasure. And should I die in the next hour, my heart will forever proclaim, ‘My God has done all things well.’ I pray with great gratitude in Jesus’ most worthy name. Amen.” (Scotty Smith, Everyday Prayers)

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