Junk Yard Car or Brand New Car? The Choice is Yours

Kerrville Daily Times March Article
Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

God has provided everything we need for each day we face. The problem we all wrestle with is not walking in the new life Christ has provided for us and defaulting to our old ways of handling situations. It is like God has given us a brand new car, representing our new life in him, and he tells us to take it out for a spin. Our old life, represented by an old beat up dilapidated junk yard car, is right there for us to continue to use or we can simply get in the new vehicle God has given us and practice driving it. Romans 6:4 says, “...just as Christ was raise from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (NIV) Which will we choose?

Enjoying New Life with Old Friends

The new car, is nice, pretty, and has all the bells and whistles, safety features but we just are not comfortable driving it so we go back to what we are comfortable with. Each day, in every situation, everyone of us has the opportunity to practice walking in newness of life, practicing driving our new gift,  or default to immature and out of date ways of handling situations we face. We get to choose what we will drive.

The other day, I had an opportunity to choose and practice. I was traveling on business and I ordered a cup of coffee and sat down to wait for my eggs and ham. As the young girl placed my breakfast in front of me, I felt the Lord say, “She needs to know how much I love her and how special she is to me.” I knew it was the Lord but in my mind, I began to think that I did not have much time and needed to hurry to my next appointment. I then sipped may coffee, only to discover that it was not hot, but actually cool in temperature. I had just paid good money for a hot cup of coffee, About that time, the waitress came back and asked, “Is there anything else I can do for you?”  “Yes, if you could get me another cup of coffee, I would really appreciate it.” I said kindly.  “This one is not very hot,” I stated. When she returned, she apologized and thanked me for not getting upset about cold coffee. I realized at that moment, it was much more important to God that I was kind to this young girl than it was that I had a hot cup of coffee.

Seizing the moment, I stepped out in faith, hoping she did not think I was crazy, and told her how special she was to God and how much he loved her. Much to my surprise, she sat down at my table and began to weep. Those words were life to her soul. They were exactly what she needed. We visited a few minutes and then I asked her if I could pray for her. She readily agreed and we prayed.  Her entire countenance began to change and I saw a new sparkle in her eye. I was so glad I chose to practice kindness instead of my right to a hot cup of coffee. 

Galatians 5:22-25 talks about our new life in Christ  of love, joy, peace, gentleness, patience, and self control. Each day, in each situation, we  can choose to keep in step with our new life in Christ and practice driving our new vehicle or our junk yard car.  If you find yourself in your junk yard car, put it in park and get out. Enjoy God’s provision of newness of life, remember, practice makes perfect.

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com

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Finding Joy When Life Throws You a Curve Ball

Joy...what exactly is it?  Joy is a feeling of great happiness or pleasure.  It is an attitude  I feel God wants His children to have every day. But it is easier said than done because some days are simply more challenging than others.  I am discovering that there is grace to access joy when I choose to.  This means that I am responsible for finding my joy if I have lost it or it appears that it is hiding behind difficult circumstances.  So, how do we swing the joy bat  when life throws us a big curve ball?  How do we find joy when we are enduring situations that continue to hurt or linger?  Where is the joy when you feel you are standing alone?

I don’t have all the answers but I do have some experience in the above circumstances.   I have found that it is easy to be joyful when life is going like you like it.  Most of us would agree that life doesn’t always go like we plan.  One of my life scriptures is in Psalms 16:8-11 which says, “I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore, my heart is glad and my inner man rejoices and my body will rest secure. You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence with pleasures at your right hand.” (NIV)

The important thing for me in managing my joy is keeping the right focus.  I do much better when I look at how powerful God is and how much He loves me instead of looking at my problem or dilemma. His love never fails.  He is always loving me and no matter what happens in life, I must focus on His love and goodness.  

 As a former gymnast and coach, I know how important focus is to maintain your balance when you are on a balance beam.  The right focus is the difference in staying on and falling off.  The same is true in life.  If my focus is negative, my outlook and attitude will be too.  

  Psalms 16 also says I am not alone.  He is holding me by the right hand.  When I picture myself holding His hand I am much more confidant and secure.   Do you let Him hold your hand?

I love the determination of the psalmist here when he says, “I WILL not be shaken.”  Our will is a powerful thing that we can use in a positive or negative way.  There have been many days I have had to live out of my will to do what is pleasing to God verses what I feel like.

Determination and endurance can be done with joy when you keep looking at the end result.  Often times for me, it is to finish something well.  There are some things you simply cannot control or escape and those situations test your endurance level.  Anyone can quit, champions finish the course.  For example, the first ten sit-ups can be done with a smile but it is harder to find joy and have a smile  with sit up number 97,98,99 and 100.  When I am in a situation that is an endurance race, I have found joy focusing on finishing vs. where I am in the situation.  It is so much easier to do those last few sit-ups when people are cheering.  Sometimes we don’t get that blessing and have to simply breathe and draw on grace and count the trial as one that strengthens us and that is our joy. Everyone needs a cheerleader. Look for who you can encourage today and sometimes we can find joy simply encouraging others.

Joy follows when our focus is right, we hold His hand and we set our will in a positive manner.   It is my responsibility to learn to rejoice always. (Philippians 4:4)  Join me in swinging the bat and knocking the curve balls of life out of the park! 

Birthdays, Suitcase, and Texas Independence

Pops and Mama Max with Truett

 We were able to spend a few days in Houston celebrating Price's birthday and seeing our grandson. It is amazing to see those we love grow up. Truett is 6 months now and Mallory is a great mom. By the end of the weekend, he was reaching for me which warmed my heart!

Valentines Day 2014

February is a month full of love and for me lots of travel. I am learning to move with where God takes me and to hang on loosely to my schedule and comfort zones. I packed my suitcase for business on Feb.9th and March 4th finally began to unpack it. All that matters for me is to be with those I love and to find my security in God's love and presence. I've learned to find the adventure in whatever town I find myself in. I love showing up and discovering why God has taken me on the journey I find myself on and discovering His purposes.

Truett and Uncle Price

Sweet Collins is 6 months

Our weekends this month took us out of town to celebrate Price's birthday and to see our grandson. Price turned 24 and Truett and Collins both turned 6 months. It is so fun watching their little personalities emerge. I wish we could see Collins in person more often but right now, I will be content with Facetime.

Texas Independence Day Party in Con Can 

We love our friends and consider each of them gifts in our lives. We had a lot of fun celebrating at Con Can Texas Independence Day Party. Four couples from Kerrville joined us for the event.

Price is 24!

Little Valentine