God of the Hills and Valleys

God of the Hills and Valleys

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

copyright January 2020

Vega, our granddaughter, turned 1!

January 2020 has come in with a big bang in my life. Maybe your year has started slow and easy. I hope so, but for those of you that have had some challenges, you might be able to relate to my 2020.  Since the new decade began, I’ve dealt with hospitals, water damage in my home, physical therapy, the insurance company, construction crews, deadlines with my publisher and other commitments. The good news, is God has been faithful and these obstacles have been opportunities to practice my peace, and find joy in a hectic and stressful time.

In late December, I wrote the following scripture in my journal. Little did I know, this was my promise, to steady me in the days ahead. 

2 Corinthians 9:8, (TPT) states,  ^“Yes, God is more than ready to overwhelm you with every form of grace, so that you will have more than enough of everything^[e]—every moment and in every way. He will make you overflow with abundance in every good thing you do.” 

Often times, we can have our plans, but the unexpected happens, which can create extra pressure in life. These are times and opportunities to depend on God. 

I oversee care for my father-in-law and on January 2^nd, he was hospitalized for five days. The day after he was released, I was called by assisted living, as they thought he had shingles, which meant another doctor’s appointment. Fortunately, it was a drug reaction and he is better now.

My father-in-law and his wife

It is an honor to serve him, but these events hijacked my schedule, as he lives out of town, and it put me behind on getting things ready for a community Bible study I will begin, January 28^th called, The Gathering-Bringing God into everyday life. 

While I was gone, the valve on my ice maker and refrigerator broke, and caused water damage in my kitchen, laundry, living room and ruined my new carpet. This has created appointments with water mitigation, construction and the insurance company. 

I am also recuperating from a torn hamstring, and have physical therapy several times a week, in addition to meeting deadlines with the publishing company that will release my new book this summer. 

As I looked around at my upside-down house, busy schedule, and hijacked plans, I took a deep breath and gave it all to God, asking Him to lead me step by step. Obviously, I am not in control and felt like all these things were more than I could handle at one time. 

Psalms 23:4 (TPT) states, “Lord, even when your path takes me through
the valley of deepest darkness,
fear will never conquer me, for you already have!
You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way.
Your authority is my strength and my peace.”

This was another opportunity to practice peace, exercise trust, as I walk through the hills and valleys of life with Him. 

Letting go of our plan, turning to God, and learning to roll with life’s challenges, pushes stress away and is key to peace in our hearts. We do not have access to all the variables in life, however, when we look to Him, with childlike faith in a God who loves us dearly, we will see Him orchestrate a beautiful song in our lives.  

God’s grace gives us strength to do things we cannot do alone. He is with us every moment of every day, and each of us has the opportunity to walk and talk with Him, as we transverse the hills and valleys of life.

Please join me and my team at The Gathering-Bringing God into Everyday Life, and we will discover together, the joy of walking with an incredible God, that loves us and redeems all things.

Kathleen is a Hill Country native, writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth. Beginning Tuesday, January 28^th, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. She will lead a Bible study at The Kroc Center, called The Gathering: Bringing God into Everyday Life. To register, email kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or call 830.377.8061.  There is no charge for the class.