Thriving Through Seasons of Grief by Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

This book is for the broken hearted, the disappointed, and those picking up the pieces of their life. Full of true stories, easy to read and will give the reader hope and practical tools.

Now available on Amazon in paperback or on Kindle. #grief #hope #griefjourney #griefsupport #author #griefhelp #thrivingthroughseasonsofgrief

God's healing touch during the holidays

God’s healing touch during the holidays By Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie copyright 2021

Most of us think of the holidays as a time of celebration, gatherings with friends and family, and pretty lights. For others, the holidays only remind them of what is NOT in their lives anymore. Grief often shows up unexpected during this season triggering the pain that might have remained hidden the rest of the year. Christmas is full of memories and those precious memories tend to come to mind during this season. The good news is, God is with us in our pain and heals. I speak from experience. The things I have learned from walking through grief have been some of the best teachers in my life. Learning that no matter what I face, God holds my hand and is full of compassion, has given me great confidence and expanded my compassion for other people, which is priceless. God cares when our hearts hurt and wants to heal us. Psalms 34:17 (NIV) states “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” It may not feel like God is close in our pain, but the truth is, He has never been closer. As I have experienced Him guiding me, encouraging me and His kindness, it has made the above scripture very real. God relentlessly kept showing me He was right beside me. Too often, our feelings lie to us and in tough times, we feel like life is over, God has forsaken us, but we must believe the truth of God’s word and press through the feelings. If you are brokenhearted over losing a loved one, recently divorced or have experienced another loss, let me encourage you to ask God to open your eyes to see His nearness and to encourage your heart. I have done that and it works. You are precious to Him and He cares that your heart hurts. Six years ago, I lost of both of my parents before and right after the holidays. I was not looking forward to the first holiday without them, as they had been with me for more than 50 years. As I approached the holiday, instead of focusing on missing them, I began to wonder, what adventure would God had ahead for me. God is always good, and I’ve learned from losing my late husband that, when facing something new and different without a loved one, I could find comfort and joy, looking for the adventure and God’s goodness. Needless to say, it was different the first year without them, as I spent the holiday in Alpine, Texas, with my new husband on a 40,000-acre ranch, mule deer hunting and helping him with his hunting business, a side business he has done for years. The beauty and majesty of the area was breathtaking, and I missed a 10-point buck … I’ll get him one day! My dad loved West Texas, and it will always remind me of him. Enjoying something he loved so much brought me a smile. I’ve found joy in the differentness and enjoyed the challenge. Christmas can be challenging for those suffering from grief as it brings up so many memories. Oftentimes, these are memories of the good times we have shared with those we love. These memories bring the reality of our loss to the forefront of our minds. You may not be grieving this holiday season, but God may want to use you to be His arms of compassion and love. Often, people that are grieving just need people to affirm their pain and loss and encourage them. Life isn’t the same without those that have been a huge part of our lives. It is challenging to go on without them. They may have lost a mother, father, child, brother etc. Love and compassion will always win and bring healing. Love never fails. Sometimes, someone else’s arms and kind words mean the world to a grieving person. Just to know that someone cares that their heart hurts, means the world to those that have loved and lost. I encourage you to give those who have lost a love one, a hug. The Holy Spirit is the best comforter, however, let me encourage you to ask God how He might want to use you to be a gift to someone hurting this season. There are several widows I have called frequently this holiday season. Just to know someone is thinking about them and cares that their heart is struggling brings comfort. Being sensitive to others helps us be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and vice versa. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For 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.” God may want to use you to bring His peace to those who need compassion this holiday season. Let me encourage you to be sensitive to those around you. Psalm 147:3 says “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Hang on to the promises and enjoy the new adventures that await you. And don’t forget to look for people to bless with a hug.

Kathleen is a Hill Country writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. For more information, to listen to her podcast, or purchase her book, Thriving Through Seasons of Grief, visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

#grief #healing #griefjourney #Jesus #Christmas #memeories #griefsupport

Giving thanks when nothing is going right

Giving thanks when nothing is going right By Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Copyright Nov 12, 2021 “How on earth do I give thanks when I feel like life is so difficult and painful?” I muttered as I pondered everything going on in my life.

I was a tired mother of three children, a busy business owner with 250 clients, active in the church and community and my marriage was struggling. I was exhausted, to say the least. A day or two after I said the above question, my baby got pneumonia. This generated extra care for my little one, including frequent breathing treatments he despised and screamed through. A few days into the pneumonia battle, my daughter spent the night at a friend’s house and came home with lice. There was even more work for me, as if taking care of a house and three children was not enough. The next day, the school called and said my oldest son had pink eye. “Surely, God understood that I had enough on my plate and did not have time to be thankful,” I said to myself as I tended to my tasks. The truth is, God did understand, and he wanted to help me overcome the adversity I was facing. Some days in our life on this Earth are just awful. He does not engineer difficult circumstances just so he can produce good; however, he works within us and through us to bring us to a better place when we partner with him. “Help me Lord,” I prayed. I knew God was the only one I could depend on. The next morning, I opened my Bible and began reading II Corinthians 2:14, which reads, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” If you read the first part of the chapter, things were not easy for Paul; however, he had a confidence in God’s ability to overcome his challenges. I was encouraged, and several words stuck out to me as I read and reread this verse. • Thanks • Lead • Always • Triumphal procession I discovered I had to do my part — and that was to give thanks. I began to thank God for his ability to lead me to triumph and for my kids. I began to thank God for his love for me. My heart began to change. Thanksgiving adjusts our attitude. Next, I began to look to God and believe that he would lead me. I began to thank him for my husband, too, even though I was not really happy with him at the time. “God, I thank you for my husband and kids, thank you for your love, and thank you that you want to lead me and help me overcome,” I prayed. “I choose to believe you always work things together for my good, and I look to your ability, not my own.” Please note, I did not thank God for the difficulties but for what I could be thankful for and put my trust in him. In the days and months that followed Thanksgiving that year, the lice and the pink eye were gone from my house, even though these childhood plagues went through all three kids. My baby got over pneumonia. I continued to give thanks for my husband, and God began to work in both of our lives. I began to look to God to change things in our marriage, instead of me trying to change him. Our marriage began to heal, and it started with my heart changing first. Not long ago, I reread II Corinthians 2:14 and could see very clearly how God led me in triumphal procession, step by step. I had to smile at God’s faithfulness. Yes, there are still difficult days in my life; however, I am quick to give thanks and look for how God is going to lead me step by step to get the better of the situation. The great news is, when we partner with God, thank him and lean on him in difficult days, we are developing a testimony in our lives and a confidence in him. Others see that in our lives and are drawn to that fragrance. Right now is a good time to thank God for something in your life and partner with him. If you are having difficulty, ask him to help you develop thankfulness in your life. We can always thank him for being with us, helping us, and we can ask him to open our eyes to see how we can be changed and triumph.

#thanks #difficulty #attitude #grateful #adversity #givingthanksinadversity www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com 127,641

Adapting to your husband and investing in your marriage

Adapting to your husband and investing in your marriage Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Copyright October 2021 I trade my heels, dresses and pearls for snake boots, gun, jeans and camouflage between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31. I also trade my purse for a bird bag. I spend every weekend riding around in a pick-up truck with my husband, checking on our dove hunters, occasionally hunting, and in the evenings, we are entertaining our lodge hunters. This has been my life in the months of September and October for the past nine year, and we just celebrated our ninth anniversary. I have loved the adventure of learning new things and am still learning to adapt to my husband, Stephen. He has had quite a few changes being married to me, too.

Good marriages do not just happen. They take work. My mom told me years ago, “Kathleen, if you are not working on your marriage, you are working against it.” I try to be intentional in looking for ways I can invest in my relationship with my husband. Spending quality time with your mate is very important to keep the relationship alive. We live in such a hectic society; however, it is vital for a husband and wife to take time for just the two of them. I was married 30 years to my late husband, Joe. Three years after he was gone, I married Stephen. I realized I could not put the same grid on our relationship as I had in my previous marriage. I had to study Stephen, learn about him and learn how to be his wife. One of my constant prayers is to be the wife he needs. Ephesians 5:22 (Phillips) reads, “You wives must learn to adapt yourselves to your husbands, as you submit yourselves to the Lord, for the husband is the ‘head’ of the wife in the same way Christ is head of the church and savior of the body.” It is important for a wife to study her husband and learn what is important to him, adapt accordingly, and what makes him feel loved and respected. Men are different, and this scripture is telling each of us as wives to adapt to our own husband. The word adapt means to make something suitable for a new use or purpose; modify, become adjusted to new conditions. My late husband was an investment banker who wore a coat and tie each day, worked 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and enjoyed spending weekends at home. My husband, Stephen, is a self-made man who owns several businesses and most days wears jeans, boots and a cowboy hat. His work schedule varies from 6 a.m. to sometimes late in the evening when his phone rings. Needless to say, I had some adapting to do when I remarried in 2012. Stephen is a very hard-working man and plays as hard as he works. When we first got married, I had to adjust to doing something most weekends. We are usually hunting, fishing, visiting with our friends, kids and grandkids, attending events, church, etc. I feel it is important at this stage in life that we find things we can do together to build our relationship. Men need respect, and women need to feel loved and cherished. One way I try to show my husband respect is really looking him in the eyes when we are talking. Another way I try to show him respect is by getting off the phone quickly when he comes in from work. I want him to know he is more important than anyone else in my life. I feel it honors him and shows him respect. The Message version of Ephesians 5:22 reads, “Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife, the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.” Submitting is not being a doormat. It is important for a wife to give her husband input on matters. It is submitting my ideas to him, because our marriage is a partnership, as well as a covenant. Sometimes I may not agree with Stephen. One of my favorite prayers when we do not agree is, “God change my heart or his.” This puts me in a win-win situation. I have seen God change my heart at times and other times, my husband’s heart. Men, it is imperative that you cherish your wife and do what makes her feel loved. A woman who feels cherished and loved will move mountains for her husband. Praying together is also a great building block in a marriage. It brings two people together for a common cause. I am not talking about long amounts of time — even a few minutes each day in prayer together is powerful. Praying with him lets me know what is on his heart and mind. Marriage is about two people walking together in life. Building your marriage is important, takes time, communication and forgiveness. It is never too late to invest in your relationship with your spouse. Strong marriages build strong families. Strong families make strong communities. Will you join me in investing in your relationship with your spouse? It might take a little time to see the results of your investment; however, it will be worth it. #marriage #marriageadvise #marriagegoals #marriedlife Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays in October at The Kroc Center in Kerrville, she will begin leading her Bible study, “The Gathering: Bringing God into everyday life”. For more information or to register, contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. You can also purchase her book, Thriving Through Seasons of Grief on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

Conflict, COVID, and choosing peace

Conflict, COVID, and choosing peace Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Copyright September 2021 Have you had heated conversations recently about COVID-19, vaccines or has someone snapped at you for the decision you made?

Months ago, I made a decision about the vaccine based on several things. Then, I felt like God challenged me one day and said, “Kathleen, have you asked me?” I was humbled and spent several days praying about the virus and vaccines, asking God what I should do for my life. I gave my life to Jesus over 50 years ago, and my life belongs to him, so it made sense to ask him. I woke up one morning and felt like he gave me clear direction for the call he has on my life. Not long ago, I encountered someone who was pretty vocal about her decision. Even though I didn’t agree with her stance, I just decided I wouldn’t share my opinion to avoid conflict. I really wasn’t interested in arguing with anyone about the topic, as I am not a medical professional and neither is she. Peace is more important to me, and I usually guard it. During the encounter, I felt like this friend was snapping at me. I was grieved at her response and saddened. How was I to respond? Argue, be offended or chose to forgive? As I prayed about it, I felt like God took me to Hebrews 12:14-15 (TPT). It says, “In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward holiness, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many.” We can see from this passage that keeping peace, doing what is right before God and not becoming bitter is important to God. It seems like a tall order, but grace is available for the difficult people we encounter. We just have to ask for it and walk in it. One of the things God has shown me is my emotions, attitudes and choices say everything about me, and other people’s emotions, attitudes and choices say everything about them. My emotions, attitudes and choices belong to me, not anyone else. I must take responsibility for my responses to situations. Emotions are how we feel about life, and attitudes are what we think about life. Attitudes come from belief systems and those are usually formed in our youth and shape our thinking. Sometimes we are taught wrong attitudes, and our mind needs to be renewed. Romans 12 :2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We must own our emotions, attitudes and choices — not someone else’s. Our job is to be responsible and kind to others. I can’t worry about what other people think or if they agree with my decision, and I must realize I am not powerful enough to change someone’s thinking. They have to own their own emotions, attitudes and choices. Let’s get back on track and quit arguing. We need to get busy in God’s kingdom and pray with others, lead them to Christ, be the visible representation of who he is, not arguing and complaining about everything. I challenge you to seek God about the pandemic, the vaccine, and talk to your medical professional. Take responsibility for your emotions, attitudes and choice, and let’s live in peace with those around us. Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. She will lead a Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, at The Kroc Center. To register or for details, contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. You can also purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief” at www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

Encouragement for widows and basic Christianity

Encouragement for widows and basic Christianity Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie Copyright August 2021 “Kathleen, this is Ann,” the woman said. “I need your help.” “Ann, is everything OK?” I asked. “No, Bill is dead. I received a phone call that he collapsed and he is gone.” “No!” I responded with a loud voice. I did not want anyone to experience the pain I had experienced as a widow. Since that day when my friend called for help, I have had numerous acquaintances that have lost their mate. My heart is tender towards them. None of us have any guarantees in life. Bad things happen to good people, and it is in our broken places that God’s love, grace and hope see us through the pain. I speak from experience. If you have lost a mate, take heart. There are some wonderful promises in scripture. If you have not, you have a wonderful opportunity to practice the basics of Christianity. James 1:27(NIV) tells us, “Look after the fatherless and the widow in their distress.” Widows and widowers are close to the heart of God. It is easy to feel alone, lonely and wonder where you fit, when you are no longer married. All these feelings are natural, as part of you is now gone. Scripture says that when we marry, we become one; therefore, when a mate leaves this earth, part of you is missing. In my journey as a widow, several scriptures became very special to me. Psalms 68:5 (NIV) proclaims God’s character and says, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing.” God is compassionate towards those that find their life in ashes and he heals the broken-hearted. God’s heart is tender towards the fatherless. Many children are fatherless for a variety of reasons: abandonment, prison, addiction, just to name a few. God will defend the widow, be a daddy to the fatherless, and He cares for those that are lonely. I have personally seen how God has defended me in situations when I did not have a husband to protect me and look out for my best interest. Knowing I had a special place in the heart of God gave great comfort and confidence. Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) states, “Seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.” If you are widowed, you can hang on to how special you are to God. There were many times I have prayed and asked God to send someone to plead my case, help me and he did. My dryer broke and was under warranty. I was going through a lot of hassle to get it fixed. I asked God for help, and the assistant to the president of the company oversaw my case and came to my defense after weeks of waiting. Ask God to raise up those that will defend you.

Exodus 22:22(NIV) reflects God’s heart for widows. It proclaims, “Do not take advantage of a widow or orphan. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you.” It is a good thing we live by grace and not law anymore! This scripture shows us that God hears the cry of the orphan and the widow. He does not tolerate treating them unjustly. James 1:27 (NIV) gets right to the point about what is important in our Christian walk. It says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after the orphans and widows in their distress. ...” It is just that simple. Sometimes in our busy world, we forget to do the basics of Christianity and forget what God says is pure and what is right. Is there a foster child, a child without a mom or dad, a widow or widower that needs your help? Perhaps you could mentor or include him or her in your lunch or dinner plans? Looking after these that are right outside our back door is important. Jesus said, “I have come that you may have life and life to the full.” If you are a widow or widower, you have a God-given right to live a full life. I’m living proof that starting over isn’t easy, but God is right there to help and guide you. My late husband has been gone almost 12 years now, and I remarried 8 years ago. I have a good life now, but I will never forget the kindness of God and people during my hard years of being a widow. I am forever grateful for all I learned in that season. We are very blessed to have plenty of opportunities to practice the heart of God to the orphans and widows in our community. Look around, and let’s get busy in this mission field God has placed before us. And for those widowed, I ask God to richly bless you, defend you, comfort you, heal you, and fill you with hope. Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, a writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God. On Thursday, October 7th at 6:30 p.m. at The Kroc Center in Kerrville, she will begin leading her Bible study called, The Gathering- Bringing God into everyday life. For more information or to register, contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. You can also purchase her book, Thriving Through Seasons of Grief on her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com and on Amazon

Thriving Through Seasons of Grief

Now available on Amazon in paperback or on Kindle.

Fear is not your friend

Fear is not your friend by Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie copyright July 2021

Recently, I talked to a number of people struggling with different fears. I can certainly relate as for years, I was a victim of a variety of fears. Thankfully, God has set me free from the bondage fear brings. Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. The feeling of anxiety about the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone. One thing is for sure: Fear is tormenting. Fear is a thief and a robber of peace, joy and tranquility. I speak from experience. There are many different kinds of fear. A few I have struggled with in the past were a fear of death, fear of germs, fear of failure and fear of the dark. I have found that many people struggle with the same fears that held me captive for years. I was good at justifying my fear, telling myself that one could never be too cautious. One day I heard the words, “Fear is doubt and unbelief, and doubt and unbelief is not trusting God. That is sin.” At that moment, I knew I could no longer justify my fears. Whenever I was afraid, I began to acknowledge them as sin. God graciously began to set me free, as I was faithful to repent and resist the temptation to walk in fear. Repentance is always our friend and is found on the path to freedom. II Timothy 1:7 (NIV) reads, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” We can conclude from this passage that fear is a spirit, and it is not from God; therefore, it is not our friend. There are times when I have simply said the words, “Fear, go. You are not my friend.” As long as we coddle our fears, they will hang around. We must deal ruthlessly with them if we want to get free. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) says, “So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Many times, I have pictured myself holding God’s hand, and that gives me great courage. Dismay is feelings of anxiety and consternation, usually by something unexpected. Have you ever had something unexpected happen? I have. Proverbs 3:25 (NIV) tells us, “Be not afraid of sudden fear.” Satan loves to make us feel scared, because then we are intimidated. Intimidation has one goal: to scare us from even engaging in the battle. Goliath used intimidation on David, but David did not bow to fear. He quickly strengthened himself by remembering how God helped him slay a bear and a lion. I love David’s faith in response to intimidation. He told the bellowing giant he would strike him down, cut off his head and give his carcasses to the birds. Those are faith-filled words. Prior to a personal relationship with God, I was terrified of dying. I had trouble sleeping at night for fear I might die. Once I accepted Jesus into my heart and repented of the fear, I was no longer afraid of dying. Personally knowing God is the start of overcoming fear. Tell God you want a personal relationship with him, and anytime fear shows up, tell it to go; it is not your friend. The U.S. Navy has a slogan I think is a motto against any fears: “Life, liberty and the pursuit of all who threaten it.” God wants us to enjoy life, our freedom and get rid of any fear that would threaten us. Fear is an enemy, not a friend. Do not let fear rob you anymore. Kathleen is a Hill Country author, writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. To purchase her book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” or listen to her podcast, visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

A life of freedom:Forgiveness, letting go, surrender

A life of freedom: Forgiveness, letting go, surrender • Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie • May 15, 2021

We have the great privilege of living in the USA — the land of the free and the home of the brave. I am grateful for our military, which has provided and continues to provide freedom for us to enjoy every day. What does freedom look like in our daily lives? Living a life of freedom means practicing three things regularly: forgiveness, letting go and surrender. We live in a fallen world, and one day, when we get to heaven, life will be perfect. Until then, we have to learn to live free in a world with imperfect people, heartbreak, loss, offense and disappointment. Forgiveness has been a big key to living free in my life. When we forgive, we set ourselves free. For many years, I lived my life forgiving others when I felt like it. I wanted to be genuine and mean it, but what I found is it often took a long time to get to “feeling like forgiving.” Matthew 6:14 (NIV) says, “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive, your heavenly Father will not forgive you.” The above scripture shows us that forgiveness is a choice. We have a choice to forgive or not. Forgiving others not only sets us free, it also puts us in a place to receive forgiveness from God for ourselves. It is a win/win situation. We can rest knowing God is just, and we have been obedient to scripture. One day, I learned that forgiveness is a choice and something you do more for yourself, not your offender. Choosing to forgive others instead of waiting until I felt like it gave me a whole lot more freedom in my life. We can be honest with God when we don’t feel like forgiving; however, it is important to choose to forgive because he says so and ask him to change our hearts. Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. Sometimes we work so hard to make something work, and we need to just let go. When we let go, we trust God. Letting go of an offense, things going a certain way, a problem we have or grief in our hearts are big keys to our freedom. Years ago, my marriage to my late husband struggled. I tried everything I knew to make things work, and they seemed to get worse. One day, I prayed and said, “God, I let go and trust you.” I quit trying to fix and control the situation. God began to work when I got out of his way, and my marriage was restored. Surrendering to God’s plans and purposes brings freedom. Surrendering, trusting, adjusting our plans and timeline brings peace to our heart. I usually have to pray out loud, “I trust you, Lord; change my heart and perspective to see this situation like you do.” There is something about voicing our trust and declaring it. The waves of life can daily toss us around, and surrendering helps keep us grounded. In Isaiah 22:12 (NIV) it reads, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” We can surrender and trust God, who dearly loves us and is committed to us. Jesus came for us to live a life of freedom. Let’s partner with him and daily practice forgiveness, letting go and surrendering to bring more freedom into our lives. And remember, as we practice, we grow and mature — and freedom rings in our lives and plays a beautiful melody. Kathleen is a Hill Country author, writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. To purchase her book or listen to her podcast, visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com

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Book signing this Thursday in New Braunfels, Texas beginning at 4:00 p.m. at The Crossing. 322 West. San Antonio, St. Come at 6:00 for a book review, shopping, and refreshments.

Honor, forgive, and teach - A tribute to my mother

My mother was a 5-foot-2, blue-eyed lady who taught me many things. She taught me everything from “say please and thank you” to “don’t forget to wear your lipstick,” “you better shape up or ship out” and there was always, “get happy just like you got sad.” Mary Belle loved people and would talk to anyone who would listen. She was a genuine lady and tried her best to teach me how to be a lady. I’m still learning. The best things my mom taught me were about walking with God. She loved the Lord, and it was evident by the many times I would see her studying her Bible, listening to worship music and by the life she led. She was a woman who loved God with all her heart and a praying woman. I am forever grateful for all the prayers she prayed for me and all the wise counsel she gave me. If you are a young mother, I challenge you to train your children, spend time with them, and teach them about a relationship with God. He will always be with them, you will not. Perhaps you are reflecting on your own mother as Mother’s Day approaches — good memories, bad or funny ones and the painful memories. God’s word is very specific on how to treat our parents. Ephesians 6:2 (NIV) says, “Honor your father and mother — which is the first commandment with a promise — that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy a long life on the earth.” I found eight times in scripture where God tells us to honor our father and mother, which indicates it is pretty important to the heart of God. So, what does that mean to us today? You do not have to like everything your mom did or did not do, but you do have to honor the God-given position she has in your life. If nothing else, you can be grateful your mom carried you in her womb and gave birth to you. Honoring our mother is not just a suggestion but a commandment with a promise. When we honor our mom, we receive a blessing! Maybe your mom had some problems and hurt you in some ways emotionally, physically or was not there for you. Those are hard situations, but we cannot let bitterness and resentment build in our hearts. Unfortunately, those thoughts and feelings hold us, not the mother, in bondage. If your mom has hurt you, let you down or made wrong choices, do yourself a favor and forgive her this Mother’s Day. Forgiveness truly is a gift you give to yourself as much as to her. You do not have to tell her you forgive her; rather, it can just be a conversation between you and God. One of the hardest Mother’s Day seasons for me was the first year my mom was gone from this earth. It seemed everywhere I looked, some store was advertising the holiday. Tears would sting my eyes, and I thought of her not being here. Psalms 27:10 (KJV) was a promise I held on to. It states, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” I looked to God to fill the void and not waste my pain. God was faithful and has put other women in my life to mother me, pray for me and encourage me, just like my mom would if she were here. I still miss her. Maybe it is your first Mother’s Day without your mom. If your mom isn’t around anymore, let the tears roll. I pray God’s rich comfort over your heart and His healing touch, and I give you permission to cry. Grief is the price of love. Life is short. In this Mother’s Day season, honor your mother, forgive her, bless her, thank her or cry over her absence. She was the first person to know of your existence, gave you life and deserves honor. Kathleen is a Hill Country author, writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. To purchase her book or listen to her podcast, visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

You are invited to a book signing!

Living out loud: What is your life saying to others?

Living out loud: What is your life saying to others? • Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie • Mar 20, 2021 copyright 2021

The last 3 1/2 years, I have had the privilege of overseeing care for my father-in-law, John Rambie. He was a great man and, unfortunately, he recently passed away. Walking with people in the last days of their journey on earth is challenging at times, yet so rewarding. I observed several things in Johnny’s life that impressed me as we spent time together. Everyone is advertising something, whether we realize it or not, and the way he lived his life showed what was important to him. Johnny wasn’t afraid to express his love for people. I frequently saw him holding his wife’s hand when they sat on their sofa to watch television, and they were always snuggled together. It was sweet to observe. He also loved his three children: David, Stephen (my husband) and Mary. When I took him to doctor’s appointments, we would frequently FaceTime while waiting, and his face would light up when he talked to them. He was not afraid to say “I love you,” and I will always treasure the times he told me he loved me, especially the last few days of his life. God wasn’t afraid to express His love for us, and that is evident in the many scriptures that tell us of His love. Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) is one of my favorites and states, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Johnny told me the story about how he was born in Center Point, Texas, and weighed 3 pounds at birth. His mom kept him warm in a shoe box by the oven. He had strength as a baby, and that strength continued throughout his life, even when he endured the physical hardship of his Parkinson’s disease. He remained strong until the moment I saw him take his last breath. God was his strength, and Johnny knew and depended on Jesus. His Bible was always on the stand by his couch, and he loved singing gospel songs. We sang “Jesus Loves Me” and “Amazing Grace” many times to bring comfort and peace to his heart. He would sing with us and, when he couldn’t sing the words anymore, he would mouth the words, or just tap his foot under the blanket. What impressed me the most about him was his gratitude. Gratitude opens the door to joy, no matter what the circumstances. He was always grateful, and he expressed it. Every time we went to see him, took him to the doctor, brought supplies to him, he always us. A heart of gratitude governed his life. “Overcoming any problem begins with a grateful heart,” is one of my favorite sayings, and Johnny’s life showed that. He was always grateful and thankful, no matter what. He never let his hardships define him. He understood the value of expressing gratitude. Even in his physical difficulty, he found something to be grateful for. Gratitude opens the door to joy and overcoming adversity. Luke 6:45 (NIV) says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Johnny’s heart was full of gratitude. Expressing love, drawing strength from God and always walking in gratitude are just some of the lessons we learned from this man. My prayer for our family is that grief will have a good work in our lives and we would grow in the things his life taught us. I am grateful for all the lessons that Johnny taught me and that grief has taught me. If you have lost someone you love, I ask God to heal your heart, too. Perhaps my newly released book, “Thriving Through Seasons of Grief,” will help in your healing journey. Psalms 147:3 (NIV) is a promise I depend on and says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God is faithful to heal broken hearts when we partner with him. Although Johnny was a man of few words, the life he lived said volumes. The question for you and me is, what is the life we live saying to others?

Kathleen is a Hill Country author, writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com. To purchase her book or listen to her podcast, visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

Hope in Crisis

Hope in crisis Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie copyright March

2021 The last few days have been very challenging for many of us in our community and state. Like many, my husband and I have dealt with the temperature being 31 degrees when we arrived at our house, busted water pipes, water in our house, electricity only a few hours a day and cooking in our fireplace. In all of this, hope has been my anchor as I have lived in what seems like survival mode. Hope is not only vital in times of crisis, but also in our everyday life. It is necessary to keep us moving forward in any situation. The Bible has much to say about the subject of hope, and even secular society understands the importance of hope. What is hope? How do you get hope? What do you do when hope is gone or what you hoped for does not happen? Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen. To not have hope is to have a negative mindset that can be detrimental, not only for the person with a negative mindset but also those around a person who has lost hope. Where do you go when you need hope? I have found God’s word to be my “go to” spot for hope. Romans 15:4 (NIV) tells us, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” There are many negative circumstances and negative people in life, so it is important that we look to God’s promises for our lives. He is the one person we can always count on. Romans 15:13 (NIV) says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” From this scripture, we find that hope is part of the character of God. It is part of who He is and who we are since we are made in His image, therefore, we always have access to hope. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) states, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” In this scripture, the meaning of the word hope is to bind, to strengthen and to wait. The benefits of hope are amazing. Hope in God, not our circumstances, gives us strength and keeps us going. Please note that we are instructed to not hope in anything but God. David, in the Bible, commanded his soul to hope in God. Psalms 43:5 (NIV) says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” This is a good reminder for all of us to command our inner man to not rely on our negative feelings, but to put our hope in the one who has the power to change things. My late husband battled cancer and passed away 11 years ago. We prayed for his healing. Did I get what I hoped for? No, but to me, God never failed me; He was faithful and was with me in the most challenging time of my life. My hope remained in God that dearly loves me, in God to heal my broken heart and to help me keep moving forward in my life and purpose. God is looking for a people who are optimistic, see all the possibilities in life and hope in Him. Jeremiah 31:17 (NIV) promises us hope stating, “So there is hope for your future, declares the Lord.” I challenge you in these trying days to grab the above promise and trust in God. And once we are anchored in hope ourselves, then we can offer hope to those around us. I am praying hope will anchor you in your personal crisis.

Kathleen is a Hill Country writer, speaker and podcaster. She is passionate about helping people bring God into their everyday life. She can be reached at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or you can listen to her podcast on kathleenmaxwellrambie.podbean.com and visit her website, www.kathleenmaxwellrambie.com.

Thriving Through Seasons of Grief Video

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New book release-Thriving Through Seasons of Grief

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