Lessons from the Rodeo

I love rodeo time!  Whether it's hanging out with the horses, visiting the barns or going to the rodeo and concert, I just can't get enough of it.  Each year, I serve in Cowboy Church as a volunteer. Throughout the rodeo, we get to visit with people, pray with them, and just be there to listen.

A ton of student tours invaded the rodeo this past week.  One morning, I happened to be volunteering when quite a few student tours came through our tent.  We welcomed them and told them about Cowboy Church and how we like to pray for people.  Then I asked "Can we pray for you?"  Dozens of hands shot up!  As my fellow volunteers and I walked around, handing out prayer cards and pens, I couldn't have been more excited at their eagerness.  Yes, they wanted prayer and they weren't afraid to say so.  On top of that, they were honest. Really honest.  Some lived in fear.  Some experienced sadness.  Some horrific loss.  Many broken homes. A good number of these children had very hard lives. Yet, the smiles on their faces showed their happiness for being at the rodeo that day.

I was really touched by serving those children that day.  I loved their humility. Jesus says that we must "become as little children."  What did he mean?  Jesus was speaking about humility. "Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:2-4) Great-ness in the kingdom was not based on great works, a certain position in a company, making lots of money or talking with eloquence.  Greatness was childlike humility of spirit.

 

As we grow into adults, we sadly lose that childlike spirit.  We realize we can't trust everyone. Some even begin to doubt God, because they've seen pain and loss up close and personal.  Others look for ways to hide their true self.  We get caught in the adult trap and miss the beauty of a child.  We miss being ourselves.  Free. Simple. Honest.  Without guile.  

Did you know that the most influential and inspiring people are often marked by humility?  Maybe it's time you took a risk.  Risk sharing yourself with someone. Ask for prayer.  Share what's really going on.  I saw kids at the rodeo do this.
They could teach us adults a thing or two.

"Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.  Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.  So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 18:2-4

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

Love well!

Long songs sometimes have a way of bringing out our true emotions.  You probably have your favorites, but let me jog your mind for a moment.  Your Song by Elton John.  I Just Can't Stop Loving You by Michael Jackson.  I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston.  Your Still the One by Shania Twain.  For every beautiful love song, you'll find some very sad songs about broken love.  He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones.  Just A Dream by Carrie Underwood.  Love Hurts by Nazareth. 

Suffice it to say, that love is one of the most talked about, written about, sung about topics known to man.  We all want to love.  We all want to be loved.  Yet, as the sad songs say, love hurts. It's not easy to love.  Each day we are prone to make our own mistakes in the relationship department.  Be selfish.  Me-oriented. Thoughtless rather than thoughtful.  Critical.  Judgmental.  React rather than respond.  We look down at others wrongs but fail to see our own.

As Valentine's Day fast approaches, let's take a moment and pray that we would all grow in being loving people.  Whether we're single or married is not the issue.  The issue is about loving people well...with God's love.  Ponder the words from a portion of 1 Corinthians 13 from The Message: Love never gives up.  Love cares more for others than self.  Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.  Love doesn't strut.  Doesn't have a swelled head. Doesn't force itself on others.  Isn't always "me first."  Doesn't fly off the handle.  Doesn't keep score of the sins of others.  Doesn't revel when others grovel.  Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.  Puts up with anything.  Trusts God always.  Always looks for the best.  Never looks back. 

Now stop for a moment and allow yourself to do a self evaluation.  What changes do you need to make to love others well?  This morning, let's start up by praying these verses back to God.  Then, practice loving others with God's love.  Because, really, that's the only way to love others well.

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

Lessons from the Olympics

The Olympic Games are on!  It's been exciting to catch some of the games and see athletes do what most of us could only dream of doing!  Take for instance, five-foot-five, Taylor Henrich, from Calgary, a ski jumper.  Henrich describes the thrill of taking off "It's an adrenalin rush, but it's relaxing at the same time.  I love it.  It's the best feeling in the world."  Why relaxing?  "You get to be really free.  Its' kind of a weird concept I guess, but when you fly, there's really nothing holding you back- unless it's wind. Basically, you're defying gravity.  So you're fighting to stay on top in the flight.  And it's fun going far."

What a great description!  Perhaps one reason why we are so captivated by the Olympics is the thrill of watching the best-of-the-best athletes perform with grace, beauty and excellence.  I can't imagine the terrifying yet thrilling leap that a ski jumper makes.  I'll never know how an ice skater can dance near perfection.  Or how an athlete responds when they make a crushing mistake midway through their performance. But, what I do know, is that I can learn so much from these amazing athletes.

Let's take fear.  Olympians seem fearless. How does fear keep you in a grip?  How does fear keep you from being your true self? What do you fear most?  Fear can keep us from performing at our best in our jobs, our relationships and our life in general.  All throughout the Bible, God instructs his people not to fear, but to trust Him.  We know that is easier said than done! God promises a peace that passes all understanding, if we would but trust Him.  

Let's take mistakes. Every Olympian wants a perfect performance.  They've been training for a lifetime. Yet, mistakes happen.  We all make mistakes!  Yet, how we respond to mistakes matters.  Are we able to learn and grow through our mistakes?  Sometimes, we're so overwhelmed with guilt when we botch something that we miss the teachable moment.  I'm sure there are many Olympians who have grown leaps an bounds, not by their peak performances, but by their failures and mistakes.  God's word even reminds us that even though our mistakes may be hard at the time, they will produce a greater harvest later in our lives.  (Hebrews 12:11) Do you beat yourself up for your mistakes?  Or take them to God and ask Him to help you grow through them?  

As you watch the remainder of the Olympics, think about the life lessons you can gain while watching and listening to the athletes.  Embrace a fearless life.  Learn from your mistakes.  Let nothing hold you back from doing your absolute best.  Persevere through the ups and downs of life.  Above all, never, never, never give up.

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

The Enemy of Focus

Incoming emails. Phone calls. Wandering thoughts.  People popping by. Being able to keep your focus during a work day is not always easy.  Distractions abound.  We live in a time when there are more potential distractions than ever before.  Throughout a day, we can be in "communication" with more people than ever in human history.  How do we focus?

A distraction is something that causes you to turn away from a focus of attention.  During my day, I can be distracted by random thoughts, worries, phone calls, news, weather, sports, emails, facebook and text messages.  These distractions can keep me from being productive and efficient.  My mind can be like a pinball machine, going here and there, but not really anywhere productive.

Take a moment and consider your distractions: Can you remain focused on a work project until completion?  Can you lay aside your phone, realizing it doesn't have to rule your life?  Do you attempt to text while driving? Major distraction and dangerous!  When you're talking to someone else, do you find yourself totally thinking about something else?  Emotional distractions are even harder.  Do you have bouts of envy that take your mind away to what others have?  Do you struggle with forgiving others and find yourself thinking about the person you're angry with? Do you find yourself worrying about money, job, finances, school or your children? Worry is a big distractor! 

I have personally become aware of this area of weakness in my life.  Maybe you struggle with distractions as well.  I have come to realize over many years of walking with God, that He cares about our struggles and wants to help us deal with them.  For me, I'm praying that God will give me clear thinking and strong focus.  I'm also practicing the discipline of doing one thing at a time.  Not jumping from task to task.  How about you?  I'm going to close with a prayer for all of us:

Dear God, I give you the distractions that rule my life.  Lord, I'm distracted by ____.  Please help me focus clearly each day.  Please help me give each person I'm in contact with the respect and dignity they deserve.  Help me to be totally present, not attached to my phone.  Guard my mind when it wanders to and fro and bring it back to focus.  Help me to realize that I will never have this moment again and I need to make it count. Your presence, Father, will help me be present.  In Jesus' name. Amen.

"Dear friend, clear thinking and common sense with your life: don't for a minute lose sight of them.  They'll keep your soul alive and well.  They'll keep you fit and attractive.  You'll travel safely. You'll neither tire nor trip.  You'll take afternoon naps without a worry.  You'll enjoy a good night's sleep.  No need to panic over alarms or surprises or predictions that doomsday is just around the corner, because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound."  Proverbs 3:24-26.  The Message.

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

Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have you ever put yourself in the place of someone else and tried to experience what they experienced? Live how they lived?  Suffer like they suffered?

As I considered today's holiday, I took some time to review the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. especially during the years 1955-1968.  Can you imagine being King in those days?  What would it have been like to not be able to sit at the lunch counter at Woolworth's and be served a sandwich and coffee?  What would it have felt like to be persecuted and oppressed?  What would it have been like to stand in front of throngs of people and share "I Have a Dream?" What would it have felt like to be arrested for leading a freedom march?  How would It feel to constantly live in danger?

It is a good exercise to contemplate in some little way what Martin Luther King experienced while on this earth.  I know I've been guilty of glossing over holidays, but not really taking time to consider the life we honor.  King brought to the world's attention how unfairly blacks were treated.  He helped millions of Americans, standing up for rights for the African-American people.

In March, 1968, King went to Memphis, Tennessee.  Black garbage workers were on strike there and King wanted to help them win a pay raise.  He planned to lead a march, but a riot ended the march.  He went back to his home in Atlanta, but felt he had given in to the violence.  So King went back to Memphis and began another march.  On April 3, he made his last speech there.  He was murdered April 4th, as he sat on the balcony of his motel in Memphis.

A tape recording was played at his funeral from part of the last sermon King had made in his church.  In speaking about his death, he stated "I'd like someone to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr. tried to give his life serving others....I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry.  I want you to be able to say that I did try in my life to clothe the naked.  I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison.  And I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity."   Would someone be able to say these things at our funeral someday?

We may never be confronted with the same level of suffering and persecution that Martin Luther King, Jr. experienced.  But we deal every day with people.  Oppression can be anything from physical attack, bullying, negative words, judgments and constant put downs.  When we are oppressed, how do we choose to deal with it?  Martin Luther King chose to make a difference in spite of the oppression.  How can you follow in His footsteps this day?

"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety."  Proverbs 29:25

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

The Legacy of Lauren Bump

I didn't know Lauren Bump, the 24-year old graduate student, who happened to be running in an area park on New Year's Eve and was stabbed to death.  Her story has captured the hearts of many of us in San Antonio and around the country.  Lauren was working toward her Physician's Assistant degree at Harding University in Arkansas.  She had done missionary work in Guatemala and desired to use her talents to help those less fortunate with medical needs.  I just don't get it... a precious life cut short.

Even though I never met Lauren, I attended her funeral at our church.  Lauren's funeral was a celebration of her life here on earth.  Those family and friends near her, knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that upon her death, Lauren was in the presence of Jesus.  They knew that she had lived her life for Christ and now, she would see Him face to face.  That's worth celebrating!  But in the midst of this truth, there was also so much sorrow.  The loss of an innocent life.  The sting of a life cut short.  The loss of a daughter.  Sister. Friend. Fellow student. Missionary. Loss is unspeakably tragic.  Life will forever be different for those left behind.

During the funeral, several of her close friends read Lauren's blog dated November 16th, entitled "Success." Lauren contemplated how her definition of a successful life had changed over time.  She stated "It is often seen as a summation of all of our achievements; the number of degrees you've attained, how much money you make, how prestigious your job position is compared to the average Joe, the type of car you drive, how nice of a house you have, how expensive your wardrobe is, or even how many kids or friends you have." (labump.blogspot.com) Lauren then shared how, during an 18 month period after college, that the Lord began to show her about true success.  She lived at home, became a youth group leader at her parent's church, and held several different little jobs.  She wrote "It would be very easy for anyone to look at me at the time and think that I was one of those that never amounted to anything close to being successful, but what they didn't know is how God changed my heart and brought me to a dry season not for my glory but for His."  I'll let you read her blog spot for the "rest of the story."  Suffice it to say that Lauren knew true success.

Lauren's funeral changed me in several ways.  It reminded me of the brevity of life and loving people well.  What if today was the very last day you would see your loved one?  What would you say?  How would you treat them?  So often, we can bear grudges, live in unforgiveness, hold on to an offense and miss loving people really well.  Then, one day, they die.  Unexpectedly.  Without warning.  And we feel remorse, for not saying enough "I love you," For not making wrongs right.  For not telling people what a difference they made in our lives.  The night of Lauren's funeral, I called my brother and left a message.  With tears in my eyes and a shaky voice, I just shared with him how much I love him and shared my remorse for how rarely I tell him.  He called the next day and thanked me.  Sweet.  Funerals have a way of affecting us.  Don't they?

"You were made by God and for God.  And until you understand that, life will never make sense." Rick Warren

The true way to living a successful life is finding how to live one in JOY: 1. Jesus 2. Others 3. Yourself. Yes, yourself, is put very last." Lauren Bump

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

Become a Better You!

How many New Year's Resolutions did you make this year?  New Year's Resolutions can be a good thing...if they're kept.  But often, resolutions are simply wishful aspirations that lasts until the end of January.  However, I do think it's important to consider our personal lives and how we've lived this past year.  The new year is a wonderful time to pause and think about the direction of our lives.  Where we've been.  Where we're going.  It's so easy to allow the calendar to flip over to 2014 without even a thought for quiet reflection.

Over the course of this last week, I've done some needed evaluation of my life.  I've looked at my marriage, my work, my relationships, my relationship with God, my extra-curricular activities, my character, and more. I realized this time of evaluation was critical for me as I desire to grow in mind, body and spirit.  I've looked at some specific areas of my life that need to grow in the coming year and set some specific goals.  By God's grace and help, I will make progress in 2014.

We don't often take time to be quiet...and reflect.  How we miss out!  Here's a challenge.  Take one hour out of your life in the coming week to do just that!  You could use some of the following questions to help guide your time: What one thing could you do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?  What 3-4 character qualities require focused attention this coming year? (more patience, love, grace, kindness, better listener are some ideas...) What have been your biggest time wasters in 2013 and what will you do about it this year? How do you want to make the biggest difference this year in your life? What relationships in your life need the most work? What will you do to work on them?  Who do you need to forgive that you haven't?  What's the most important decision you need to make this year? What areas of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?  What is the one person you most want to encourage this year?  What habit would you most like to establish this year?  What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year? What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year? (Many of these questions are taken from Don Whitney, Ten Questions to Ask at the Start of the New Year, Online)

I want 2014 to count.  I want to make a difference.  I want to be the best I can be.  Don't you?  God delights in partnering with us to help us grow to become better people.  Why not carve out that hour in the next week, snuggle up with a cozy blanket, a fire in the fireplace and a warm cup of coffee?  Take some time for reflection.  Become a better you.

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