Could it be that all the rain that has fallen this week over our country represents the tears falling for the tragedy in South Carolina? Our country has wept a billion tears this last week. Every raindrop, a tear. Every tear, a raindrop. Nine innocent people coming together to pray, now dead. Family members, now grieving those dead. Charleston grieving. South Carolina grieving. A country grieving. Our God grieving.
It seems there are no answers, only questions. Of course, we ask those typical "why" questions. "Why God? Where were you, God? Did you not care, God? Why didn't you stop it from happening, God?" Although, those are questions that many might ponder, perhaps we might want to ask..."How can good come from such horrific evil? How can God be glorified through tragedy?"
Let's start with Governor Nikki Haley. She shared several good things coming from this senseless act. In her speech, she stated "We're seeing love, we're seeing prayers, we're seeing support and we're seeing humility. And for that, I want to tell you I am thankful....It's a very, very sad day in South Carolina, but it is a day that we will get through, it is a day that we will remember and it is a day that will allow us to get stronger."
Meet Debbie, a North Carolina florist. She was driving to work on Thursday morning after the shootings and noticed a black car, similar to the one described on the news. Debbie admitted to getting nervous. She didn't see herself as a brave person. But, she started talking to the Lord about it. She pulled close to the vehicle and saw a young man with a bowl haircut. She called her boss, who called the authorities. She was able to catch up with the car and get this tag number. The suspect was soon caught.
Debbie doesn't see herself as a hero. She simply states "God just used me. If we are a willing vessel, He can use us, but we've got to open up our hearts and minds. I don't know why he chose me....but he's got to be glorified in all- in everything and He's going to get the glory one way or the other...and I hope He's pleased with me more than anyone else."
Finally, consider Emanuel AME Church. At a time where racial tension has polarized many communities with even more hatred, God is using the church and the Charleston community to love. To forgive. To pray. To unite.
Please notice the responses of Governor Nikki, Debbie and the church. There is a way to respond to hate crimes. There is a way to be used by God. It involves an active and vital relationship with the God of this universe. God delights in us remembering good things amidst the bad as the Governor did. God delights in using weak people to do courageous acts like Debbie, the florist. God delights in us when we respond to hatred with love, like the church. Go and do likewise.
"My prayer is that we will all fix our eyes on things eternal, and hold to God's unchanging hand. We have become blinded by hatred... Blinded by politics...Blinded by our economy... Blinded by jealousy...Blinded by rage... Blinded by social status...and blinded by greed." Marcus Stanley
Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Why Wait?
Imagine yourself in a world of chocolate....perhaps a place similar to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. That's where my dog, Zoe, found herself this week. We were surrounded by delicious, tempting doggie snacks and numerous doggie toys strewn out over the large training room. It was indeed doggie heaven!
Zoe, our English Springer puppy, is in doggie school. Zoe is currently learning how to be a therapy dog. Zoe hopes to one day be able to work with wounded warriors or residents in a nursing home. To prepare for her doggie day job, we practice working around children, wheelchairs, obstacle courses, and other surprises. So, this week, we were working on "leave it." Could Zoe walk through this obstacle course, without being tempted to grab doggie treats?
Much to my embarrassment, Zoe choose what was expedient. The temptations were just too close and too easy. She knew she would get a treat for obeying me, but somehow, it was much easier to go for the floor prizes rather than wait on the treats that would come from me. Waiting is incredibly difficult, even for a dog.
Because we live in an instant society, we're not used to waiting for anything. We want what we want and we want it now. Instant answers. Instant friends. Instant raise. Instant funds. Instant education. Instant home. Instant pain relief. Instant healing. Instant weight loss. Instant recovery. Instant health. Instant internet response.
I've learned in my life that the discipline of waiting teaches me lessons that I can't learn any other way. God has used waiting to get my attention. God has also made me wait when I don't want to wait. How about you? When we don't get what we want, our true colors begin to show. Sometimes, God uses waiting to redirect us to go a different way. God also uses waiting to teach us to trust Him as we wait. He also uses waiting to build in us perseverance and character. If only we would learn to wait on God!
Do you feel like waiting is a waste? Zoe certainly did. Thankfully, we as humans, can see things from a different perspective. Will we? Waiting is hard. Waiting can be painful. Sometimes, you want to quit. But don't! Let your waiting become a good thing. A time to build character. A time to trust God. A time to pray. Wait, my friend. It's worth it!
"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14
Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Zoe, our English Springer puppy, is in doggie school. Zoe is currently learning how to be a therapy dog. Zoe hopes to one day be able to work with wounded warriors or residents in a nursing home. To prepare for her doggie day job, we practice working around children, wheelchairs, obstacle courses, and other surprises. So, this week, we were working on "leave it." Could Zoe walk through this obstacle course, without being tempted to grab doggie treats?
Much to my embarrassment, Zoe choose what was expedient. The temptations were just too close and too easy. She knew she would get a treat for obeying me, but somehow, it was much easier to go for the floor prizes rather than wait on the treats that would come from me. Waiting is incredibly difficult, even for a dog.
Because we live in an instant society, we're not used to waiting for anything. We want what we want and we want it now. Instant answers. Instant friends. Instant raise. Instant funds. Instant education. Instant home. Instant pain relief. Instant healing. Instant weight loss. Instant recovery. Instant health. Instant internet response.
I've learned in my life that the discipline of waiting teaches me lessons that I can't learn any other way. God has used waiting to get my attention. God has also made me wait when I don't want to wait. How about you? When we don't get what we want, our true colors begin to show. Sometimes, God uses waiting to redirect us to go a different way. God also uses waiting to teach us to trust Him as we wait. He also uses waiting to build in us perseverance and character. If only we would learn to wait on God!
Do you feel like waiting is a waste? Zoe certainly did. Thankfully, we as humans, can see things from a different perspective. Will we? Waiting is hard. Waiting can be painful. Sometimes, you want to quit. But don't! Let your waiting become a good thing. A time to build character. A time to trust God. A time to pray. Wait, my friend. It's worth it!
"Wait on the Lord; be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say on the Lord!" Psalm 27:14
Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, June 8, 2015
Words Matter
Have you noticed how much negativity and criticism there is in our culture today? Our attacks toward one another come in the form of jokes, Facebook comments, blogs, conversations at work and twitter feed. We can label others, call them names and cut them down through our "innocent" jokes. We judge others ruthlessly. We gossip unknowingly. We point out others' weaknesses, while hiding our own. I often think these actions stem from our own insecurities.
Last year, in the NBA finals, you might have remembered "Cramp Gate," the night the air conditioning went off at the AT&T Center, here in San Antonio. LeBron James developed severe cramps. By the next day, people were having a hay day with the LeBron Cramp Gate jokes. I found myself tempted to join in on the chatter, but in processing this, I stopped myself. I refused to make fun of LeBron. LeBron is human just like you and I. LeBron has issues just like you and I. LeBron even makes mistakes just like you and I. Why does it behoove me to make fun of him?
Our words matter. How we treat people matter. It matters to God, to others and ourselves. Our appetite for judging others has caused us to be so unconcerned with the hearts of people. We forget we're dealing with real people. We forget that others see our comments. We don't seem to care that others might be hurt by our words. In doing so, we lack respect for our fellow human beings.
I will be the first to admit that my speech is not always gracious. Just ask my husband! I'm reminded in the book of James, the half-brother of Jesus who wrote "The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire." (James 3:5) But my words come from my heart way before they make their way out of my mouth! Perhaps, that's why the Bible emphasizes so much holding the tongue before speaking!
Quit judging other people. Stop condemning others with your words. Be done with gossip. Refuse to cut down anyone. Second, consider the types of things that come out of your mouth: Is it edifying to others? Will others be hurt by my words? Am I lifting up or tearing down others? Is this helpful for all? Be a change agent with your words.
"Conduct yourselves with wisdom. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:5-6)
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Last year, in the NBA finals, you might have remembered "Cramp Gate," the night the air conditioning went off at the AT&T Center, here in San Antonio. LeBron James developed severe cramps. By the next day, people were having a hay day with the LeBron Cramp Gate jokes. I found myself tempted to join in on the chatter, but in processing this, I stopped myself. I refused to make fun of LeBron. LeBron is human just like you and I. LeBron has issues just like you and I. LeBron even makes mistakes just like you and I. Why does it behoove me to make fun of him?
Our words matter. How we treat people matter. It matters to God, to others and ourselves. Our appetite for judging others has caused us to be so unconcerned with the hearts of people. We forget we're dealing with real people. We forget that others see our comments. We don't seem to care that others might be hurt by our words. In doing so, we lack respect for our fellow human beings.
I will be the first to admit that my speech is not always gracious. Just ask my husband! I'm reminded in the book of James, the half-brother of Jesus who wrote "The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire." (James 3:5) But my words come from my heart way before they make their way out of my mouth! Perhaps, that's why the Bible emphasizes so much holding the tongue before speaking!
Quit judging other people. Stop condemning others with your words. Be done with gossip. Refuse to cut down anyone. Second, consider the types of things that come out of your mouth: Is it edifying to others? Will others be hurt by my words? Am I lifting up or tearing down others? Is this helpful for all? Be a change agent with your words.
"Conduct yourselves with wisdom. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person." (Colossians 4:5-6)
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Floating Houses; Sinking Hearts
The floods here in Texas have ripped apart homes, cars, bridges and our human hearts. My heart seems to quietly sink deeper and deeper as I read one more dismal article about those missing in the rivers. Today, as I read the front page of the Sunday San Antonio Express-News, I had to lay down the paper and weep for a moment. There, was a picture of the Blanco River, with little red numbers pointing out where the tragic events took place. It pinpointed the red house occupied by nine people from Corpus Christi, how far the river carried the house and where the house slammed into the bridge and tore apart. It was hard not to wonder what it might have been like to be floating down the river, calling out for help, as the waters raged. Gut wrenching!
Many human beings resist and reject God because of the affliction and suffering they see in our world today. How could God allow bad things to happen to good people? They can't imagine how a good God could allow such misery, pain and anguish. At the same time, I find that many people have drawn closer to God through affliction and suffering. Troubled times awaken them to their need. A need for God. They begin to understand that they're not in control as they once thought they were.
If we are walking with God over time, and something bad happens, we are more than likely to turn to God when the bad happens. Case in point... I understand that the Corpus Christi families staying in the Wimberly house gathered in a circle to pray during their crises. Somehow, I have a feeling, they sensed God being very present with them, even in those dire moments.
Simone Weil writes that suffering makes God "appear to be absent." She is totally right. That's what it feels like. But, then, I read scripture and remember that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) This brings great comfort! How does this tragedy wrestle with your thinking?
When these things happen in life that are bigger than us, we MUST get God's perspective. We can't let a bad circumstance make our conclusion about whether God is good or evil. God's Word is true and can be trusted. Always. It won't take you long in life to realize that there is suffering all around us. The Bible does not promise that all suffering will have a happy ending. But, it does show how people of faith walked with God through suffering and experienced God's presence in the worst of times.
Now is the time to nurture your relationship with God. If you don't have one, give God a try. He is just waiting to be with you and can handle your questions, your anger and your pain. Just try Him. He loves you so much. What keeps you from God? And for those hurting in Texas? Pray. Pray for those by name and those that are nameless who are suffering today. Pray for those with broken hearts. Serve. Donate. Care. We can be the hands and feet of God to bring hope and healing to a sinking heart.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Many human beings resist and reject God because of the affliction and suffering they see in our world today. How could God allow bad things to happen to good people? They can't imagine how a good God could allow such misery, pain and anguish. At the same time, I find that many people have drawn closer to God through affliction and suffering. Troubled times awaken them to their need. A need for God. They begin to understand that they're not in control as they once thought they were.
If we are walking with God over time, and something bad happens, we are more than likely to turn to God when the bad happens. Case in point... I understand that the Corpus Christi families staying in the Wimberly house gathered in a circle to pray during their crises. Somehow, I have a feeling, they sensed God being very present with them, even in those dire moments.
Simone Weil writes that suffering makes God "appear to be absent." She is totally right. That's what it feels like. But, then, I read scripture and remember that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18) This brings great comfort! How does this tragedy wrestle with your thinking?
When these things happen in life that are bigger than us, we MUST get God's perspective. We can't let a bad circumstance make our conclusion about whether God is good or evil. God's Word is true and can be trusted. Always. It won't take you long in life to realize that there is suffering all around us. The Bible does not promise that all suffering will have a happy ending. But, it does show how people of faith walked with God through suffering and experienced God's presence in the worst of times.
Now is the time to nurture your relationship with God. If you don't have one, give God a try. He is just waiting to be with you and can handle your questions, your anger and your pain. Just try Him. He loves you so much. What keeps you from God? And for those hurting in Texas? Pray. Pray for those by name and those that are nameless who are suffering today. Pray for those with broken hearts. Serve. Donate. Care. We can be the hands and feet of God to bring hope and healing to a sinking heart.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, May 18, 2015
A Shoe Shiner and a NBA Player
The Las Vegas Airport. Time to kill. What does my husband do? Get his cowboy boots shined! It turned out to be a most pleasant experience. He waited for his turn and enjoyed a visit with several in the room, including the shoe shiner. What my husband noticed most about the shoe shiner was his gentle nature and the way he interacted with his customers. My husband overheard him with another customer saying "If you believe in the Bible, you know that family is important." Then, when it was Ben's turn, he asked the shoe shiner "How much do you read the Bible?" The shoe shiner responded "I read it all the time, every day. It's my guide to life. I've read the whole Bible, beginning to end." What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas. When one's life is lived for God, others take note and are encouraged.
Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors. OK, it's hard for a devoted Spurs fan to talk about other NBA teams right now. However, I couldn't help but notice a story this past week about Stephen Curry and what makes him tick. After winning the Kia Motors 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player, He opened his acceptance speech by saying "This is a tremendous honor. First and foremost, I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the talents to play this game, with the family to support me, day in and day out. I am his humble servant right now, and I can't say it enough how important my faith is to how I play the game and who I am. I'm just blessed, and I'm just thankful for where I am." He went on to say that when he makes a shot or good pass on the court, he pounds his chest and points to the sky to symbolize that he has a heart for God. Yes, Curry points beyond himself to the true hero, God. (Stephen Curry and the Culture of Self-Trust, Bethany Jenkins)
So, there you have it... a shoe shiner and an NBA player. Different jobs but the same ultimate purpose. Living their life for God. These two men realize that life is not about them. They're serving One much greater, their God in heaven. Beyond shoe shining and playing basketball is a way of life that has been forged through a persevering faith in Jesus Christ. A life characterized by humility, love, gratitude and trust in God. Sadly, we can miss this kind of life because we long for our own success and achievements to be lauded. We want to be noticed. Liked. Accepted. Appreciated. In the midst of striving to receive our own glory, we miss the life God offers us. Success is a great thing to aspire to, but who gets the glory for your successes?
Every day, you and I have a choice. Will we live our lives for an audience of One? Will we be about glorifying God in and through our daily work? When we make a choice to live for God, others take note. They see God in us! When we live for ourselves, that's what people see. Ourselves. How about you?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Stephen Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors. OK, it's hard for a devoted Spurs fan to talk about other NBA teams right now. However, I couldn't help but notice a story this past week about Stephen Curry and what makes him tick. After winning the Kia Motors 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player, He opened his acceptance speech by saying "This is a tremendous honor. First and foremost, I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me with the talents to play this game, with the family to support me, day in and day out. I am his humble servant right now, and I can't say it enough how important my faith is to how I play the game and who I am. I'm just blessed, and I'm just thankful for where I am." He went on to say that when he makes a shot or good pass on the court, he pounds his chest and points to the sky to symbolize that he has a heart for God. Yes, Curry points beyond himself to the true hero, God. (Stephen Curry and the Culture of Self-Trust, Bethany Jenkins)
So, there you have it... a shoe shiner and an NBA player. Different jobs but the same ultimate purpose. Living their life for God. These two men realize that life is not about them. They're serving One much greater, their God in heaven. Beyond shoe shining and playing basketball is a way of life that has been forged through a persevering faith in Jesus Christ. A life characterized by humility, love, gratitude and trust in God. Sadly, we can miss this kind of life because we long for our own success and achievements to be lauded. We want to be noticed. Liked. Accepted. Appreciated. In the midst of striving to receive our own glory, we miss the life God offers us. Success is a great thing to aspire to, but who gets the glory for your successes?
Every day, you and I have a choice. Will we live our lives for an audience of One? Will we be about glorifying God in and through our daily work? When we make a choice to live for God, others take note. They see God in us! When we live for ourselves, that's what people see. Ourselves. How about you?
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Musings From a Devoted Spurs Fan
Sometimes, I wish things would just stay the same. Why do good things come to an end? 2014 was such an exciting year here in San Antonio, culminating in the San Antonio Spurs winning the NBA championship in June. How proud we were of our team! It was truly magical to watch them play beautiful basketball. Team oriented. Humble. Pure class. Great guys. That's our San Antonio Spurs. We couldn't be more proud of our team.
But all good things come to an end. We don't know what next year holds for our Spurs, but it probably won't be the same team as this year. Why? Things change. I sometimes wish that the good things in life would be frozen in time. Babies staying babies. Puppies staying puppies. Great relationships always being great. Dream jobs that last. Parents that don't grow old. College fun forever. You know what I'm talking about. The good things in life. Sadly, things don't stay the same.
Even though the Spurs brought back the same team as last year, things didn't go the same this year. Saturday night was a well fought battle, but the Spurs came up short. A real heart breaker for the devoted Spurs fan. I admit it, I'm feelin' it. I know we'll get over the sadness of our Spurs being eliminated. But, it's much harder to have things in our own personal lives change. A few months ago, I lost my mother. Even as a grown adult, it's hard to fathom life without your mom. I've always had my mom. I'm realizing that things just aren't the same...and it hurts.
I call to mind a passage in Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." I couldn't stop thinking about two words. THE SAME. "The sameness of Jesus Christ is the sameness that comes from being the eternal God. His unchangingness is the unchangingness of God." (John Piper) What was written about Christ in the Bible will always be true about Christ. Jesus can respond differently to our different circumstances. He can grieve over our sin and distance. He can rejoice as well. But Jesus' character is consistent, rooted in love, wisdom, compassion, righteousness and power. He is the same in his perfect plan.
Another birthday around the corner? Sending your first child off to college? Experiencing a recent loss? Lamenting the Spurs loss? Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The past is the past. We can remember and thank God for the past. But things will never be the same again. If you are breathing, you will constantly experience change. But there is one constant that will never change- Jesus.
"A caterpillar wraps himself in a comfortable and cozy cocoon. But while he is hiding, there's something' changin' deep inside. Cause when he breaks out, he's a beautiful butterfly! Everything changes, nothin' stays the same. Whether I like it or not, everything changes, day after day. And I'm so glad I can say- the God of the Bible will always stay the same..." (Katherine Bright, Never Changes, 2001)
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
But all good things come to an end. We don't know what next year holds for our Spurs, but it probably won't be the same team as this year. Why? Things change. I sometimes wish that the good things in life would be frozen in time. Babies staying babies. Puppies staying puppies. Great relationships always being great. Dream jobs that last. Parents that don't grow old. College fun forever. You know what I'm talking about. The good things in life. Sadly, things don't stay the same.
Even though the Spurs brought back the same team as last year, things didn't go the same this year. Saturday night was a well fought battle, but the Spurs came up short. A real heart breaker for the devoted Spurs fan. I admit it, I'm feelin' it. I know we'll get over the sadness of our Spurs being eliminated. But, it's much harder to have things in our own personal lives change. A few months ago, I lost my mother. Even as a grown adult, it's hard to fathom life without your mom. I've always had my mom. I'm realizing that things just aren't the same...and it hurts.
I call to mind a passage in Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." I couldn't stop thinking about two words. THE SAME. "The sameness of Jesus Christ is the sameness that comes from being the eternal God. His unchangingness is the unchangingness of God." (John Piper) What was written about Christ in the Bible will always be true about Christ. Jesus can respond differently to our different circumstances. He can grieve over our sin and distance. He can rejoice as well. But Jesus' character is consistent, rooted in love, wisdom, compassion, righteousness and power. He is the same in his perfect plan.
Another birthday around the corner? Sending your first child off to college? Experiencing a recent loss? Lamenting the Spurs loss? Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The past is the past. We can remember and thank God for the past. But things will never be the same again. If you are breathing, you will constantly experience change. But there is one constant that will never change- Jesus.
"A caterpillar wraps himself in a comfortable and cozy cocoon. But while he is hiding, there's something' changin' deep inside. Cause when he breaks out, he's a beautiful butterfly! Everything changes, nothin' stays the same. Whether I like it or not, everything changes, day after day. And I'm so glad I can say- the God of the Bible will always stay the same..." (Katherine Bright, Never Changes, 2001)
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Joy in Prison?
I don't get it. It happens every time. I get overwhelmed with joy when I go to prison. Yes, prison. This past weekend, my husband and I served in a prison ministry in South Texas. My husband, along with a large team of men, ministered to 42 of the inmates throughout the weekend. I was a part of the outside team, which made meals for the inmates, bagged fresh cookies, and prayed regularly for them. On Sunday, everyone attended the closing ceremony in prison. This is the best part! We get to hear amazing testimonies of how these men were impacted by the weekend. That's when the tears seem to come. There's usually not a dry eye in the prison gym as these men share stories of how God rocked their world. Lives changed forever. No words to describe what we see.
Think about it. These guys live a pretty miserable life. No doubt about that. Over the course of the weekend, we receive some pretty gut wrenching prayer requests from these guys. Struggling marriages. Divorce. Families that don't visit. Loneliness. Anger. Bitterness. Fear of other inmates. Family members that pass away while in prison. Waiting for parole. Being denied parole. And think about their day to day life. They live in a very controlled environment with few privileges. Their home? 6 feet by 8 feet. Their food? Horrible. They're treated like scum by most. Remember, they're there because they're a threat to society....and treated as such.
If I could describe one attitude I saw over and over at the closing ceremony, it was joy. JOY! I know their lives aren't going to be easy in the days going forward. But, joy was evident on their faces. Undeniable joy. In our society, I think joy is often misunderstood. We usually associate joy with feeling good all the time. First of all, that's impossible for these inmates. It's impossible for us.
I love Kay Warren's definition of joy: Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. Life isn't always great. Life isn't always bad. As we look to God and walk with Him, He is able to take the worst of circumstances and use them for good in our lives. Real joy rises above circumstances. I saw that today with the inmates.
How about you? Are you letting some crummy circumstances ruin your joy? Have you lost that zip to your step because of some "something" that destroyed it? Don't let anything snatch your joy. Nothing. With inmates, they are stripped of all the toys and joys that this life has to offer. But, nothing can steal their joy. Nothing. What has stolen your joy? May God remind you today to lift your eyes from the circumstances and place them on Him. That's where joy is found.
"We're depending on God, he's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got- that' what we're depending on." Psalm 33:20-22 MSG
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
Think about it. These guys live a pretty miserable life. No doubt about that. Over the course of the weekend, we receive some pretty gut wrenching prayer requests from these guys. Struggling marriages. Divorce. Families that don't visit. Loneliness. Anger. Bitterness. Fear of other inmates. Family members that pass away while in prison. Waiting for parole. Being denied parole. And think about their day to day life. They live in a very controlled environment with few privileges. Their home? 6 feet by 8 feet. Their food? Horrible. They're treated like scum by most. Remember, they're there because they're a threat to society....and treated as such.
If I could describe one attitude I saw over and over at the closing ceremony, it was joy. JOY! I know their lives aren't going to be easy in the days going forward. But, joy was evident on their faces. Undeniable joy. In our society, I think joy is often misunderstood. We usually associate joy with feeling good all the time. First of all, that's impossible for these inmates. It's impossible for us.
I love Kay Warren's definition of joy: Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation. Life isn't always great. Life isn't always bad. As we look to God and walk with Him, He is able to take the worst of circumstances and use them for good in our lives. Real joy rises above circumstances. I saw that today with the inmates.
How about you? Are you letting some crummy circumstances ruin your joy? Have you lost that zip to your step because of some "something" that destroyed it? Don't let anything snatch your joy. Nothing. With inmates, they are stripped of all the toys and joys that this life has to offer. But, nothing can steal their joy. Nothing. What has stolen your joy? May God remind you today to lift your eyes from the circumstances and place them on Him. That's where joy is found.
"We're depending on God, he's everything we need. What's more, our hearts brim with joy since we've taken for our own his holy name. Love us, God, with all you've got- that' what we're depending on." Psalm 33:20-22 MSG
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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