In His Hands

How do we make sense of this time in our world? Perhaps you’re experiencing COVID-fatigue these days. You’re just so tired of the whole thing. Maybe you’re on edge with the recent riots in our cities. Or maybe you’re anxious about the upcoming election. Will your choice candidate(s) win or lose? And how will you feel if they lose?

We live in a very challenging time in our country. I don’t know one person who isn’t intimately affected by one or all these events. For me personally, I’ve found that I can’t go a day without running to my God, for help, perspective and hope. I also find comfort when I delve into understanding God’s sovereignty.

What comes to mind when you think about the sovereignty of God? Sovereignty means “supreme power or authority.” How do we make sense of this in terms of God Himself? To be simple, God is God. There is no one else like Him. He has supreme power over everything.

Sometimes, I see God like other humans. I place Him on human level because I’m human. That’s where I go wrong. He is God! It is through Scripture that my mind and heart are lifted to a greater understanding of His sovereignty. Here are a few verses to meditate on in the coming days:

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:16

“Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.” Psalm 115:3

“Daniel praised the God of heaven. He said, “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” Daniel 2:19-21

"Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

“And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

God’s plans are greater than our plans. He sees the whole picture. We see what we see. While we are concerned with our own comfort and what we want, He is concerned with the souls of people. We can actually look to His sovereignty and find peace and hope, knowing how much He loves us.

With these world events we are experiencing, it can feel like you're out of control. You can feel very helpless. Remember, you can quickly turn to the One who has the whole world in his hands. He’s got COVID in his hands. He’s got the election in His hands. He’s got the riots and unrest in His hands. He is sovereign. God’s peace be with you.

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

Wheelchair Living

I’ve had my share of navigating older folks around in wheelchairs earlier in my career. I remember training our Dallas nursing home staff to help bridge the gap between sympathy and empathy by giving them an extended “experience” in the wheelchair. You see things differently from a wheelchair.

Fast-forward many years. Now, it’s my husband in a wheelchair.  Ben, who recently broke his pelvis in a bike accident, is experiencing life from a wheelchair. As much as Ben would like to walk, it’s necessary that he wait. The wheelchair does something for him he can’t do himself.

I would say all of us would prefer to walk, rather than tool around in a wheelchair. Ben sure would! The wheelchair is that reminder that sometime in our life, we may experience a weakness or inability that makes us dependent upon something or someone else. Most all of us would prefer independence. But, in Scripture, we see that God anticipated our weakness....

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)

As a Christian, I have the Holy Spirit living in me. He actually helps me in my weakness! He does something for me that I can’t do myself, just like the wheelchair!

Ben and I are not left to our own resources to get through this hard time. We have the Holy Spirit who helps us pray. He counsels and comforts us in this challenging season. He prays for us when we struggle to know how to pray. God literally carries us. 

Where do you need God to carry you today? Are your fearful of the election results? Are you struggling in a decision? Are you smack dab in a big trial where you feel drained and inadequate? Do you need wisdom for a challenging relationship? Are you grieving something or someone?

Rest in our Father God’s love. He is very present. He longs to carry you too! He may not take away the circumstance, but He will be so present in the circumstance.

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

Desperately Need Help?

Have you ever reached a point where you desperately needed help? The longer we live, we will eventually be in a situation where we need help with relationships, physical challenges, life decisions, finances or another challenge. What do you do when you desperately need help?

Bartimaeus is one of my favorites in the Bible. He was desperately in need of help. In Mark 10:46-52, we read that Bartimaeus was blind. He also was a beggar, which meant that he had no one to take care of him. In the text, we see him sitting beside the road begging. When he heard that Jesus was coming through town, he began to yell, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” That didn’t sit well with the crowd. They told him to shut up. I imagine many were thinking he was really crying out “Give me money!”

But, Bartimaeus wasn’t asking for money. He was asking for mercy. In Mark 10:49 it says “Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him.’” Bartimaeus got up and came to Jesus. Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?”  Bartimaeus said “ Rabbi, I want to see.” Jesus told him his faith had healed him. In other words, Bartimaeus knew it was Jesus and He had faith that Jesus could heal him.  

On the outside looking in, I could look at this whole scenario and judge Bartimaeus. He probably looked scruffy and was certainly annoying with all his yelling. Why did he have to say the same thing over and over? You know how easy it is to judge your fellow human, right?

But, it was Bartimaeus who had faith! He believed Jesus COULD heal Him. It was the crowds that really couldn’t see. Blindness comes in all sorts of ways, doesn’t it?

What miracle are you asking God for today? Do you really believe that God can do anything? Did you know that God hears your cries for help? Don’t give up asking God to work a miracle in your life. It just takes a very small amount of faith. Just believe. God is able.

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

Reminders

I feel like I need post-it notes all around me these days. I need reminders of those things I need to remember. I’m not referring to my shopping list or remembering an appointment. I’m referring to reminders for my mind. The spiritual choices I need to make to walk through these challenging days. Here’s a few of my reminders to my self:

Trust God further than what you can see- I’ve been learning that my trust muscle can only grow stronger when it’s used regularly. During our current trial, I’m pleading with God to trust Him when I can’t see the future or know the outcome.

The old song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, reminds me of what I CAN see. I can see Jesus taking care of us, meeting each need, walking with me through every challenge.

O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.  (Songwriter: Helen Howarth Lemmel)

Don’t get distracted by opinions of others. We live in a day and age where we can be very focused on “what others think.” Whether on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn, we’ve all probably clicked some form of a like button. We signal to others what we think of what someone has shared. It’s a sort of validation. Whether it's social media or someone just sharing their opinion, we can get sidetracked by someone's opinion. 

How do you handle not getting validation? How do you handle being judged by others? Staying the course for me in this season means I must place my mind and heart more on the things of God and his opinion and less on what others think. We can get so sidetracked by the opinions of others. They can rule our hearts, our minds and our emotions. Don’t let them!

Studying God’s word helps me focus on His opinion. In Galations 1:10, I see this exact concern being questioned: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” I want to please God and I need this reminder!

Never stop praying! Prayer, for me, is an ongoing conversation with God. Sometimes I talk. Sometimes I listen. Sometimes, I wait. I can talk to God about anything. Just yesterday, I was asking God to help me in an upcoming horse show. I needed Him to help me gain confidence in doing a certain pattern. I kind of laughed at myself in asking Him about something that seemed so trivial. Yet, as I practiced that very night, I did do better and I did gain confidence. God cares about EVERYTHING! So, one of my reminders is to always involve Him in every aspect of my life! Prayer is my life line and I must remember that!

What reminders to you need to help you through this season? Take time for your spiritual health. Spend some time writing in your journal. Ask God for His reminders for you!

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

Questioning God?

I don’t always “get” God. Sometimes, I would just like to tell him a thing or two about what I feel He should do. But, I think He has his gig down pretty well.

There are times in my life where I question God. God, why would you allow this? How come this happened? Is this or that fair? What were You thinking?  How I handle these questions is of utmost importance in my faith journey.

Most of us are uncomfortable with things we can’t fully understand. I imagine that’s why many folks don’t really want to get to know God. We can’t control God. We attempt to fit God into our own box to keep things safe. But, God doesn’t do boxes. He’s God.

I think I have a standing problem of making God too small. I want Him to fit into my little world and mind. He doesn’t. Natalie Grant’s King of the World song says my sentiments exactly:

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep you safely in between the lines
I try to put you in the box that I’ve designed
I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?......
(Songwriters: Becca Mizell/Natalie Grant/Samuel Mizell)

God can’t fit into your box. Don’t pull Him down to your level. He won’t budge. Learn to look up to Him. Give Him your questions and concerns. He listens well…better than any human. He is God of the universe and literally wants to know you and do life with You.

I don’t understand God. I never will. But, He’s worthy of my trust. So, here we are in the middle of a big ole’ trial, we’re not gonna give up on Him. We’re not gonna’ say “God, how could you allow this?” We’re going to trust Him. He’s gonna see us through. He's worthy of our trust. Just read the Bible and you'll see!   

“Aslan is a lion-the Lion, the great Lion.”  “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…. “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver….”who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King. I tell you.” C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia #1)

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love may have power, together with all of the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19

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

Highlights

So, Chara, our English Springer Spaniel, decided to get highlights today. She didn’t even go to the doggie groomer! She did them all by herself.

I absentmindedly left a yellow highlighter out on a table this morning. That was all Chara needed for her highlights! I gasped when I saw her new look… both front feet covered in yellow!!!!

The definition of highlight is to make or try to make people notice or be aware of someone or something. For me, I highlight things I want to remember. Most often, I highlight a scripture or something I’ve written down in my prayer journal.

As Ben and I try to navigate our new normal following his bicycle accident and broken pelvis, I’ve been highlighting a lot. Why? I’ve realized how desperate I am for God and His Word. Over the course of these last few weeks, I’ve experienced emotions too deep for words- feelings of sadness, anxiety, fear, frustrations, impatience and weariness.

It’s these crazy emotions that draw me back to God’s Word. I highlighted the following Scripture this morning, Psalm 42:1-2, 5

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?.......Put our hope in God, For I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you.”

The Psalmist got it right. Just like a deer depends upon water, he depended on his God. The Psalmist was knew his need and knew who could answer his need. He poured out his heart to God! He was so discouraged and downcast because of the circumstances of his day. Watch his antidote: He talked to himself. He asked his soul why it was so downcast. Then, he challenged himself to put his hope in God and God’s word. He saw the benefit of running to God and his Word in times of deep despair and challenge. 

That’s what I did today. I ran to God and His Word. I need Him so much to help see me through this trial. This highlighted portion of my Scripture is a reminder of my need to sometimes talk back to myself: “Put your hope in God, Nancy!” Sometimes, we need to give ourselves a talkin’ to.

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

Cancel 2020?

I’m ready to join the “Cancel 2020” culture. To top off all the craziness that has happened in our family this year, my husband had a horrible bicycle accident this past week. I knew it was bad when I finally got to him and saw he couldn’t move. To make a long story short, he was transferred late that evening to hospital (BAMC) where there they would and could perform such a trauma case. Our hearts are broken, but at the same time encouraged that he can and will heal.

Ben and I had just been commenting on what a hard year this has been. And now this. What else? It's easy to get super discouraged during this challenging year.

I’m sure you’ve noticed, that we are in a place and time where so many are struggling. Many of you who might be reading this are dealing with cancer, another type of sickness, family or relational strife, financial challenges, wounds too deep for words or somehow affected by COVID. COVID has allowed us to see our true selves, no longer covered by the niceties of life. For me, I observed my true self coming out by not being able to see Ben while in the hospital. That was so very hard for me, yet I am one of a multitude of people who have gone through this frustration. COVID has brought on extra strife and stress to all of us. How we deal with these challenges is important. 

There are times where there are no words. I just don’t know how to walk through this trial. I’d prefer to Cancel 2020. But, as you and I know, that is not an option.

There are just some days, where I just need to out loud quote Scripture to myself.  Over and over and over. I believe God and I know He is good ALL the time. But, this feels soooo not good.

So, I’m going back to a scripture I know by heart and keep it close to my heart. I’m going to repeat it over and over and over: Nancy, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Simple verse, right? But think about each section: Trust in the Lord. Don’t lean on your understanding. Acknowledge God in everything you do. He promises to make your paths straight. Ya’ll, this is survival. This is what keeps us going!

We also need each other. I've been blown away by the prayers, encouragement, meals, phone calls of those near and far as we walk through this ordeal. It's so easy to find people to care for and encourage these days. Everyone needs encouragement! One of my favorite verses in scripture says "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." (Hebrews 10:24) Wow, loving and supporting each other is such a beautiful thing! 

I’m not about to cancel 2020, because I want to learn to trust the Lord in the hard times. If everything is always perfect, how do I really know that God is trustworthy? It’s in these dark trials, that God’s light shines bright and clear. Let's trust the Lord in 2020 like never before. Let's be the hands and feet of Jesus to those around us like never before. Could we possibly see God do more this year in our lives than any other year?

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