Life after Easter

Picked up the Honey Baked Ham.  Check.  Made homemade Challah bread.  Check. Got the china out.  Check. HEB shopping before the mad rush.  Double check. Boiled eggs for Sunday afternoon Easter egg hunt. Check. The few days before Easter can only be described as busy, busier and busiest!  So much to do to get ready.  Then, boom, it’s Monday.   And all that remains is some left over ham and of course, the ugly jelly beans no one likes.

I can get so involved in the details of planning for Easter that I miss what it’s really about.  I forget that the day I was running around like a bunny with my head cut off, Jesus was dragging a cross.  He was bleeding.  He was sorrowful.  And then, just like that, He was nailed to the wood, tasting the bitterness of betrayal and carrying the sins of all people.  Why did He so freely accept the cross?  Couldn’t he have avoided such pain and agony?  Yes.  But, God so loved the world that He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins.  Your sins and my sins.  That’s pretty amazing when you really, really think about it.

Then, a few days later, on Sunday, we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection, giving us hope for a new life with Him.  Between the morning church service and hiding the Easter eggs, my mind is brought back to “why” we do all this.  Jesus Christ has risen today.  He is alive. He is risen.  He has risen indeed.  That’s cause for celebration!  Every day!  Mind boggling! This is the greatest news we could ever take in!

You see, the gift of Easter is not in the amazing Sunday brunch, Easter egg hunt or family gathering, although all are wonderful.  The gift of Easter is Jesus.   Hope.  Real hope. Hope that will never fade away. The message of hope and new life that Easter brings far surpasses any jelly beans, peeps or chocolate bunnies. Or money.  Or materialism.  Or success. Hope in Jesus is for sure hope.

Do you need a fresh start?  Sometimes going through a difficult circumstance or happening can shake us to the core.  Even our hope.  But, we must hold on to God, the giver of hope.  He gives new meaning to our tomorrows.  He gives hope when the hurts of life bear down on us. He believes in us when others don’t.  He freely loves us when others betray us. He is a Savior worth living for!

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

Maroon Bluebonnets

I’ve been in awe of the Bluebonnets this year! The state’s official flower that seems to carpet many of the fields across Texas are simply stunning!  But there’s something funny going on right now at the Texas Longhorn’s campus.  The Bluebonnets are coming up maroon, only near the University Tower as well as the nearby Capitol building.   Could this be a prank from the maroon team down the road?
Many believe that these maroon bluebonnets have been genetically modified to become this unique color.  How can Texas bluebonnets be maroon?  They don’t fit….at all.  But, I do have to admit, it’s a pretty good joke if that is indeed, what it is.

Sometimes,we look at ourselves like a maroon bluebonnet in a field of bluebonnets.  We don’t fit the mold.  We’re not the same.  We’re different than the rest.  Different backgrounds. Different economic
status.   Different marital status.  Different faith.  Different lifestyle.  Different family. Whatever the reason why, deep down, we have this feeling of “not fitting in.”

I know that I struggled with “fitting in” at various seasons of my life.  I particularly remember working in a community that was predominately young married families and I was single.  I felt like that maroon bluebonnet amongst the rest.  I have a feeling that lots of us struggle with the same thing.  Yet, I am convinced that God delights in our differences, because He made us each unique, beautiful, and image of Himself, Imago Dei.

I’m not sure that Jesus Christ would have fit in the world He lived in.  He knew He was different, for He was the Son of God.  In fact, the Bible tells us in Isaiah 53: 2-3 “He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground.  He had not beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.  He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”

Jesus was God, existing as God and came to this earth in the form of a man.  He didn’t fit the mold.   In fact, Jesus was perfect!  He never sinned.  Far cry from us humans. There was nothing really beautiful or cool about him that others would be attracted too.  He was treated horribly by others.  Yet, He was the Son of God.  Jesus’ death on the cross satisfied God’s requirement.  By living a perfect life and dying on our behalf, Jesus paid the price of our sins in full and conquered death.  Do you know this Jesus?

If Jesus lived a different type of life on this earth, I want that kind of life.  He stood out because He portrayed a beautiful life. A life of compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility, patience, hope peace, kindness, joy, self-control, generosity, justice, and more.  I’ve come to believe that different is good.  Especially when our differences make us look and act more like Christ.  Happy Easter!

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

Buc-eees!

You can’t drive between San Antonio and Houston without encountering the visual picture of a brown and white extremely happy beaver with a beautiful set of white teeth and a red cap.  Yep, that’s Buc-ees. Buc-ees’ signs dot I-10 between here and the city named after Sam Houston like the bluebonnet patches sprinkle the highway.

Buc-ees has a way of making me happy.  Each sign seems to stir more and more anticipation for a stop at Buc-ees. You can’t help but smile at the crazy signs….If it harms Beavers, we’re against it. 96 miles…..Never drive on an empty stomach. 82 miles.  Are we there yet? 72 miles….Eat here. Get
gas. 59 miles…..Ice. Beer. Jerky. All 3 food groups! 24 miles.  Your throne awaits.  Fabulous restrooms. 32 miles…..

The signs seemed to humor me as I made the drive to Houston.  They made me excited about finally getting there!  Buc-ees has a great strategy.  Betsy Gelb, professor of marketing at the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston states   “Aplin’s (co-founder) quirky business model may be shrewd.  They’re taking a product category with zero excitement and giving it some.  If you can give consumers a little whimsy and humor and a little distraction from the long drive, why shouldn’t they go there?” 

On my drive home, I started thinking about our amazing God of this universe who longs to be real and personal to each one of us.  Sadly, many of us have zero excitement when it comes to God.  We just see God as far away and don’t ever see ourselves getting close to Him.  Some see Him as a driven taskmaster, desiring us to follow rule after rule.  Sadly, many miss the true nature of God.

Every day, before your feet hit the floor, you are given signs of God in your life….Waking up. Walking.  Exercising.  Breathing. Sunshine.  Rain.  Rainbows. Bluebonnets. Clouds.  Trees. Flowers. Green grass. Animals. People’s faces.  Jobs.  Family.  Babies.  Children.  Friendship. Prayers. Bibles. Laughter. Tears. Hugs.  Light. Sleep. Being alive! There are signs all around you as to the reality of God. Yes, God is not dead.  There are signs everywhere of Him!

So, where is God in your life today?  Is He distant?  Moderately close?  Growing increasingly closer? I learned years ago that God hungers to know me and have a friendship with me! And He desires that with you as well.  He grieves when we remain distant. Stop.  Look around.  See God in your day.  There are signs everywhere…some of them have a beaver on them.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  James 4:8

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

Is God good?

When was the last time you questioned God's goodness?  Our image of God can become extremely distorted by looking through the lens of circumstances.  How could God allow the horrific mudslide in Washington state? Why would He allow a plane to disappear over the Indian Ocean?  Or more personal, how could He allow this certain disappointment in my life?

The troubles of life can take us by storm...if we let them.  It doesn't take living long on this planet to realize that circumstances can freak us out.  Difficult marriages.  Planes down. Mudslides. Cancer. Overload at work. Difficult relationship. Regrets.  Yes, it's easy to say "This isn't fair, God."
So, when good things happen, God is good.  But, when bad things happen, God gets the blame? Really??? What we are basically saying is "God, You're not working these things out the way I think you should."  Basically, when we wave our questioning finger at God, we are asking "Is God good?"

I have found as long as I try to make sense of the horizontal life around me, I'm going to be deeply confused and horribly discontent.  When I go vertical and look up to God, my heart is changed.  As I look to God and study His Word, my questions turn into trusting an unchanging God.

I'm blown away by the Bible!  In Psalm 103, David is speaking and gives countless examples of God's goodness.  He pardons our sins. He heals our diseases. He redeems our life from the pit.  He crowns us with loving kindness and compassion.  He satisfies our years with good things.  God loves you so much that He wants you to enjoy ALL His benefits.  Yet, sadly, a gap exists between God and us because our thinking about God can be skewed.

If you are going through a difficult time today, why not move toward God, versus away from God? Why not actually try praying to Him?  We ALL need God.  Today, you might think you can get along fine without God.  However, you need Him more than you know!  As you start your day today, consider how your own circumstances have influenced your view of God.  God is good; all the time.  All the time; God is good. What keeps you from believing that?

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

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

Crazy stress

Our dog, Gracie Lou, went crazy last night.  She’s normal today, but last night she was C-R-A-Z-Y.  Pacing.  Freaking out.  High heart rate. Anxiety.  Panting profusely.  Not normal for sure.  Even the vet was a bit perplexed.  Let’s just say there was no way you could actually sleep in the midst of her craziness.

Gracie Lou’s anxiety attack last night was over the top strange.  I’ve never seen anything like it in a dog.  However, as I reflect on last night (trying to keep my drooping eyes open) it occurred to me that sometimes we humans might have “similar” reactions.  Call it what you want….I’ll call it stress.  Worrying about a deadline.  Stressed out about the finances.  Fearful about the future. Can’t sleep at night worrying. Wondering about the right education for your kids.  We humans can get pretty absorbed in worry, anxiety and stress.

The preoccupation, business and stress of running here and there to accomplish much takes its toll.  It can sabotage our relationships, affect our work and destroy our joy.  Right now, you and I probably have several things that seem to keep churning around in our brain.  We think ad nauseam about them.  Before long, we can pace, freak out and even become anxious just like Gracie Lou.

 

I can worry until the cows come home.  It will do nothing to change the situation. The cows won’t come home either.  However, I can run to God, knowing that He loves me and cares about everything that goes on in my life. The same is true for you as well.  Because of His great love for us, we have good reason to trust him with all the stuff in our hearts- our longings, fears and worries.

What’s the stuff that you are highly anxious about today?  Trust the Lord with the matter at hand. Seek understanding from Him.  He is the God of peace and desires us to come to him with our concerns. Also, be willing to ask others to pray for you. Be willing to share your concern with others. Burdens become lighter as their shared with God and others.

 

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it.Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30

 

“Today is the tomorrow we worried about yesterday.” Author Unknown

 

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

39 Assists

I love a good Spurs game when I don't have to anxiously bite my nails in the last few minutes of play, wondering if they're going to pull it out.  This past week, I enjoyed such a game.  Instead, I actually painted my nails as well as other non-mental tasks while watching them stroll to an easy win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

That night, the Spurs became the first team in league history to have 13 players record an assist in one game, per NBA states. Now, I'm not much into keeping track of sports statistics, but this one made me stop and pause. 39 of San Antonio's 43 baskets (90.7%) were assisted in the easy victory. That's just mind-boggling. It seems rather fitting that the Spurs set such a record, as their deep rotations and team-oriented basketball demonstrate that basketball is not about being a one-man show.

 

In the game of basketball, assists are indubitably underrated. People value points. Points determine wins. However, the Spurs get the value of team. They also realize that if one player dominates with points, eventually the other team will adjust by double teaming him, which leaves another player open for the assist. When a team is passing the ball and working together as an entire team, it's just easier to score points by relying on the team as a whole.

 

We would do well to learn from the Spurs. How would my ratio of assists be in my work? In my home? With others? When we assist someone, we give support or aid to help them in their endeavors. When we are high in assists, we recognize we have a job to do, but we make sure to aid, encourage and help those around us as well. I can be so busy reading emails or doing my list of tasks that I miss that co-worker in front of me who could use help on a project or just a listening ear.

Finally, we won't succeed by being a one-man show.  Sure, you might be very good at what you do. It might even be easier for you to do the job than ask others to join you. We may hunger for accolades. Getting the credit. Scoring the win. But, in the long run, there is much more value in working together to achieve the common goal. Everyone brings to the table their unique self. That's the beauty of team.

 

Take a moment today and ask God to give you a heart that assists those around you. Get outside yourself. Go ahead and make somebody's day.

 

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

Selfies

Selfies.  The Urban dictionary defines one of the latest and greatest new words as "pictures taken of oneself while holding the camera at arm's length." In our visual cuture, the selfie is a quick way that easily shows how you're doing, how you're feeling and where you're at.  People seem to like selfies, because as actor, director and writer James Franco writes, "The 'likes' spin out of control when I post selfies with me and my two handsome brothers." And don't we want a lot of 'likes'?

Franco goes on to write "But a well-stocked collection of selfies seems to get attention.  And attention seems to be the name of the game when it comes to social networking.  In this age of too much information at a click of a button, the power to attract viewers amid the sea of things to read and watch is power indeed.  It's what the movie studios want for their products.  It's what professional writers want for their work, it's what newspapers want, it's what everyone wants: attention."

There's nothing bad about a good selfie.  Been there; done that.  I just want to lean into the above quote for a minute.  Attention.  Everyone wants attention. That seems very accurate.  We all want to be known.  To know.  To make a difference.  To have others interested and ask us questions. Yes, we all want attention.

It seems that the times where I did receive the attention that I longed for, it was never enough.  I wanted something more.  Honestly, I believe that we all long for God. We just don't know it.  He's the only one who can truly satisfy our longings. Seeking out attention from others may work for a while.  But it never satisfies.  There is a God who knows you and me more than we know ourselves. His focus is entirely on you.  His love for you is never-ending. And that God seeks a relationship with you and me.  Amazing.

In our new era of social networking, the selfie is the new way of looking into someone and saying "This is me." Did you know that God cares more about your "self" than any one in the world? 

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you my God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.  When can I go and meet with God?" Psalm 42:1-2

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