Interruptions

My otherwise lovely and enjoyable Christmas season was abruptly interrupted this past week by a dental emergency. Nothing like a toothache to get your attention. I’ve always had a fear of losing a tooth, so this was a significant interruption.

My first reaction to this interruption was fear. My normally very low blood pressure skyrocketed as I sat in the infamous chair. As I glanced outside through the blinds, I saw a robin just sitting on a tree limb. Immediately, God reminded me of his presence! I reflected on the verse in Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” God used that bird to calm me down and remind me that He sees, and cares for me in that very moment. God carried me through this interruption!

The Christmas story involved a blatant interruption. The shepherds were watching over their sheep when suddenly an angel appeared. The shepherds’ lives would never be the same. Take a look at the scripture:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12

The shepherds’ first response to their interruption was fear! And who wouldn’t be afraid when they suddenly saw an angel? Interruptions interrupt what we’re doing and the shepherds had a job to do! Interruptions change the status quo. Interruptions prompt change and we humans really don’t like change.

I find it so beautiful that God chose the shepherds to be among the first to encounter Jesus. That interruption was a good interruption. Think about it…. the shepherds were not seen by most, not appreciated, and even looked down upon. Not very important. Not known about town. Yet, it was the Shepherds, that stood face to face with Jesus. It seems that God wanted to communicate that He saw those shepherds and honored them for who they were.

Do you ever feel overlooked? Unloved? Forgotten? Unappreciated? Take a look at the Christmas story and study the shepherds in more detail. Just like them, God sees you. God knows you. God loves you. God cares for You. You are important to Him, even if You don’t feel like it. Remember that in our interruptions, God is there and very present. He used an angel for the shepherds. He used a robin for me. He’ll use anything to remind You how much He loves you.

Picture what it would be like that holy night. How would you respond to what you saw and heard? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRuunhHiEPg

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

Keeping Things Real

If I could name a bit of tension in our home each Christmas, it would be the type of Christmas tree we choose. Yes, we’re a divided household. Ben prefers artificial trees. I prefer real trees.

There’s a bit of personal history behind this. One of the traditions in my house growing up was that my dad would go and get a potted Christmas tree each year. After Christmas, he would quickly take it down, and off it would go to be planted behind our house. To this day, there is a row of evergreen trees of all sizes behind that home.

So far, in our house, Ben has given in to a real tree each year! (#realchristmastree) Of course, he does the lion’s share of the hard work in getting it set up, which I’m grateful for! But really, who doesn’t love the yummy smell and look of a real Christmas tree? Have you ever smelled a fake tree?

It occurred to me that there’s nothing wrong with either choice, real or artificial. It’s a matter of preference. But when we get down to the Christmas season, I would prefer keeping things real.

This really did happen:

“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary: you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31

“For today in the city of David, there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) Matthew 1:23

Do you believe that this really did happen? If so, how will it affect your Christmas celebration? Your joy? Your peace? Your love?  Christ’s coming to this earth changes everything. This really did happen, and it changes everything!

Here’s the deal: The magical nature of our own version of a Hallmark Christmas can take a more prominent role than what took place in the city of David. Our version of Christmas pales in comparison to what took place in a stable so long ago! 

Yet, the reality of life hits us every Christmas and affects us deeply. Are you grieving the loss of a spouse or close family member? Are you wishing you could be somewhere, but you can’t? Do you want things to be different in your life? Do you struggle financially to give gifts? Is there a deep “lack” in your life that comes back to haunt you every Christmas? There is obviously much pain at Christmas.

The gift of Christ, Immanuel, is our greatest treasure, not just at Christmas but throughout the entire year. Whether it be a time of celebration or honest brokenness, Jesus is still with us. Jesus still loves us. Jesus still cares. Press in close to Him today. Keep Christmas real with Jesus at your side.

I can't listen to this song without crying! Christ's birth changes everything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6fQmh9F_Q

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

Thinking About Christmas

Christmas is just twenty days away. What does that cause in your spirit? Are you jumping for joy? Are you thinking about all the things you must do in those twenty days? Are you worried about the family gathering and how things will go? It seems that every year about this time, we can get a bit anxious about the coming holiday.

The thing with Christmas is this. It’s not really about all that we have going in our lives when it comes to Christmas. It’s about what we actually think about Jesus. Consider this verse:

“To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.” Isaiah 9:6-7

I find myself getting so side-tracked at Christmas time. I’m already writing down the dates of parties, organizing the food, and thinking about even writing a Christmas letter this year. This verse stops me in my tracks. There’s absolutely nothing more important than Jesus and his birth and how we personally respond to His greatness and glory. It’s something very personal that each of us should consider.  

Yet, I stop in my tracks when I read this prophecy in Isaiah 9:6,7.  TO US. This child was born for us! This child would be a man, but more than a man. He would also be the Son of God. We, humans, needed a perfect, infinite Being to offer a perfect infinite atonement for our sins. (Enduring Word)

How does Christ carry the government on his shoulders? The government of the entire world already rests on his shoulders and will into the Millennium. His government shows itself in daily life through God’s people. Caring for orphans. Serving the poor. Bringing peace, hope, and encouragement to those around us. Practicing thinking of others as more important than ourselves. Listening to people and valuing others. Finding someone to serve in some way and do it for a while.

Also, wrapped in this verse, we see various names of Jesus:

Wonderful - Jesus is wonderful and what He has done for us should fill us with wonder. You can never really look at Jesus, really know Him, and be bored. (Enduring Word) Who is more wonderful than Jesus?

Counselor-Every day, I start the day asking God to guide me and counsel me for the things of that day. Jesus can help us with all our problems. He may help us through the Bible, through His presence, or another person, but He is our Counselor. He has extraordinary wisdom! He advises, consults, plans, and guides us.  We can go to Him about anything! How do you need Him to be your counselor today?

Mighty God- He is God Almighty, creator, and sustainer of the whole universe. God in the flesh. God with us! He can do anything!

Everlasting Father- The Hebrew word translated as “everlasting” has the idea of “without end” just as we read at the close of the verse “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:7) Imagine all the things in this life that come to an end. Then picture our Everlasting Father. Always and forever.

Prince of Peace- He will be characterized by peace. Because of Christ’s work, we can have peace with God, peace with men, and peace in this world. He can give us inner peace when our hearts are in turmoil. He is in control. Always, even when we’re not.

Pour a cup of coffee and tea. Grab a warm blanket. Turn on your Christmas lights. Sit with this beautiful verse. Marinate on Christ’s names. Let your Christmas be about Him.

Unto Us A Child is born....Oh, how we need Him! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XWY_OmEG1Q

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

Changing our Perspective

I saw a quote that seemed pertinent to this Thanksgiving: “Some people grumble that roses have thorns. I am grateful that thorns have roses.” (Alphonse Karr) Maybe you’ve faced a holiday where it just wasn’t cracking up to be what you expected. For me, the day before Thanksgiving, I’ll be having sinus surgery. So, I’m planning a rip-roaring holiday!

I’m sure we’ve all faced circumstances that aren’t quite what we planned for. I’ve been waiting for months to get this surgery done. Who doesn’t want to feel better? Finally, they gave me their first available date for surgery, the day before Thanksgiving. What’s a girl to do? I took it!

So, I could look at this whole situation and grumble: “I can’t have a normal Thanksgiving. I can’t cook and have people over like I love to do. I can’t probably even enjoy food!” Grumble. Grumble. Grumble. Or, I could say: “I’m so thankful I found a doctor who knows what’s wrong. I’m so thankful that I CAN get it done. I’m so thankful that we have insurance. I’m so thankful I’ll feel better soon. I’m so thankful for doctors who know how to solve this problem.” A Change of Perspective.

You see, often we prefer to grumble that roses have thorns and not see that thorns have roses! We’re so stuck on what we don’t have that we miss what we do have. 1 Thessalonians 5:18  says, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Now, that’s a hard verse. But please note, the Bible isn’t commanding us to FEEL thankful in all circumstances! It tells us to give thanks! (Sharon Jaynes) I find that when I lift my eyes from the “grumble” part of my situation and instead THANK God, I find such peace and comfort.

Sharon Jaynes writes “Gratitude changes the lens through which we see the circumstance in our little slice of time. Thanksgiving changes our perspective despite broken dreams, broken relationships, tumultuous circumstances, and unfulfilled longs. As we praise God for who He is and thank Him for what He’s done, our perspective of Him grows larger and our problems grow smaller.” (Gratitude Changes Everything)

As you walk into Thanksgiving week, where do you need a change of perspective? How might You thank God, even when the circumstance doesn’t FEEL particularly good?

If you could name one thing you’re grumbling about this week, what would it be? _________________

Lord, Thank You for this special time of year. I pray a blessing on each person and ask that whatever their “grumble” is this week, You would truly help them give thanks. Maybe it’s hard to find something to be thankful for, but, LORD, I pray You to help each person gravitate to a thankful heart. We may not understand all that’s going on in our life, but we are going to trust You fully each day. Amen.

When we struggle with our perspective, it helps to worship and remember that He is more than enough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_uLYfpgwP4

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

Grumbling or Gratitude?

I just got an alert on my phone that the temperature dropped from 81 degrees to 59 degrees in 2 hours here in San Antonio today. I don’t think our city has seen the likes of these temperatures since last spring.

Weather brings out the best and the worst in people. Many people prefer hot weather here in South Texas every day they can get it and complain when it’s cold. Then, there is another group of people who don’t like the heat, tired of the heat and are ready for a change from the heat. Those folks like days like this. You might be able to guess which camp I fall into. 

I guess weather brings out something in us that we’re all guilty of at one time or another. Grumbling. Grumbling is as old as the hills and speaking of old, grumbling goes back to the Old Testament of the Bible.

In Exodus 15:22-25, Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and went to a desert. They went for three whole days in the desert with no water! When they found water, it was bitter, and they couldn’t even drink it. And what did the people do? They grumbled against Moses, saying “What are we supposed to drink?” At that time, Moses cried out to God and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water and the water was good to drink.  So, even though the people complained, God still provided water for them.

Once we grumble, it’s easy to grumble again! In Exodus 16:2-3, the Scripture reads:

“In the desert, the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

It does seem that once we begin to grumble, it becomes a bit of a habit, if not careful. As the Israelites faced danger, shortages of food, and inconveniences. They complained over and over and longed to be back in Egypt.

Gosh, don’t you relate to those Israelites? When difficult circumstances arise, I find that I can get stressed. So, what happens in the stress of our circumstances? We grumble and complain. Such a natural response.

Yet, God calls us to a different way of responding.  Gratitude. One thing I realized is that I can’t be both grumbling and grateful at the same time. Gratitude is focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. When we’re grateful to God, it opens our spiritual eyes. We recognize God, His presence, His perfect timing, and Him working in and around us. Gratitude and peace go hand in hand. We don’t have to stress! God is in control! His promises are true! Always! 

Today is a new day. Will you grumble through this day or be grateful?

Don’t you want to be a grateful person? I sure do! Take a listen to this worship song that literally expresses gratitude: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA83MufOCoA

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

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

The Tentacles of Gossip

 One of my favorite games as a child was” Broken Telephone.” It starts off by a group of people sitting in a circle and the first person whispers a secret into the ear of the person on one side, they whisper to the next person, and it goes around the circle, only to find out when the secret gets to the end, it’s an entirely different secret!

It sure is good and funny when you hear the secret at the end and it’s totally different than what the original person said. It’s not so funny in real life under the name of gossip.

Gossip is all around us. It doesn’t take long to see a bunch of information one could classify as “gossip” on social media. Gossip thrives on Facebook, Twitter, texts, and Instagram, in neighborhoods, on HOAs, in families, in churches, and in offices. Gossip is everywhere and it has the potential to destroy lives.

Have you ever been gossiped about? It’s not fun if you’re on the receiving end, especially when it’s false information. It’s just like the “Broken Telephone” game! Yet, the problem is, gossip is so ‘out there.’ We have no idea how far the tentacles of gossip have traveled. There’s no way to retrieve all the information, make it right or even try to change an opinion about it. Gossip is just gone forever.

I think we would all agree that NONE of us want to be the object of gossip. What we may not agree on is this: Will WE stop gossiping?

I find reading a Proverb a day quite helpful as I seek to live before God. Given there are 31 Proverbs, it’s quite fitting to read all the Proverbs in a month. Note these great Proverbs about gossiping:

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.” Proverbs 11:13, NLT

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 NLT

“A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers.” Proverbs 20:19 NLT

I love Rick Warren’s definition of gossip: “When we are talking about a situation with somebody who is neither part of the problem nor part of the solution, then we are probably gossiping.”

How do we handle gossip? 1. Commit to holding confidences of others. Trust is a beautiful gift.  2. Change the topic when you see a conversation veering off to gossip. 3. Don’t spread gossip. 4. Read a Proverb a day and pray that God will help you put a guard over your mouth. (Psalm 141:3-4)

Every one of us is tempted to gossip at some point in time. Ask God to help you be different.

Take a listen to this song. When we have a relationship with Christ, He forgives us of all our sins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ

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

What the World Needs Now

 Given the vitriol of our day, it would behoove us to take heed to the old song, sung and recorded in 1966 by Dionne Warwick: “What the World Needs Now.” I was a little girl about that time and remember humming along with the words as it played on the radio “What the world needs is now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of. What the world needs now is love, sweet love. No not just for some, but for everyone.”

Every day, we wake up to hear such horrific news. Beatings. Break-ins.  Rifts. Anger. Abuse. Wars. Retaliations. Of course, there are those quiet ways we fail to love others. These things won’t make the news; they won’t even land us a ticket. It’s the subtle ways we dismiss, devalue, and quietly slip people out of our lives. We suffer from selective love habits.

I was quietly lamenting the news of the morning; I looked up Romans 2:3-4 in The Message Bible. It hit home:

“You didn’t think, did you, that just by pointing your finger at others you would distract God from seeing all your misdoings and from coming down on you hard? Or did you think that because he’s such a nice God, he’d let you off the hook? Better think this one through from the beginning. God is kind, but he’s not soft. In kindness, he takes us firmly by the hand and leads us into a radical life change.” Romans 2:3-4

Gosh, darn! It’s so easy to point the finger at others! We’re so quick to judge! We’re so quick to gossip about someone not knowing the whole story.  We’re so quick to condemn the ‘other’ political party, while quietly questioning our own. It’s easier to point the finger at others, while rarely looking deep into our own selves.

Who in their right mind wants their own self-righteousness to be exposed? We’ll do everything we can to cover up, hide, act like it didn’t happen, and even condone our wrong behaviors. Yet, God’s patience is real with each one of us. It’s His kindness that leads us to repentance.

The call to love others is all throughout the Bible. Yet, God does not leave us alone in loving well. He sent His Son Jesus to show us the way. It’s Jesus' love and his call for me to love others (ALL others) is my motivation in life.

Come on, you and I both know we love others selectively. God is calling us to shower the riches of God’s kindness, tolerance, and patience on ALL people. Even those people who are hard to love.

In just a few weeks, we have another election. We have a choice. Will we act with anger and disgust towards people whose worldview, gender preference, sin, and politics are different than ours?

Or will you consider the way of Jesus? Jesus took the judgment of the cross and gave us His righteousness. Jesus extends His grace toward each of us. Will we receive His grace? Will we extend that grace to others? Now is the time for His grace.  What the world needs now is God’s love.

Wow, this song sure speaks to how we need God to help us love like this! Take a listen:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UuM3X4VToI

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