Giving thanks when things seem to be going wrong

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

November 2017

Copyright

“How on earth do I give thanks when I feel like life is so difficult right now and painful,” I muttered to myself 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 not doing great. 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, frequent breathing treatments he despised and would scream through, as I tried to be a good parent. 

A few days into the pneumonia battle, my daughter spent the night at a friend’s house and came home with lice. This created 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. We are in Christ no matter what is happening in our lives and we just have to tap into that place 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 states, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and though us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (NIV)

If you read the first part of the chapter, things were not easy for Paul, however, Paul had a confidence in God’s ability to overcome his challenges. I needed that and I needed it yesterday!

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 give thanks. I  began to thank God for his ability to lead me to triumph. I also began to thank him for my kids, even though they all had physical battles and  I was exhausted and miserable. 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. My job was to submit my day and my heart to Him and to follow Him. I began to thank him for my husband too, even though I was not real 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,” I continued. 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 that Thanksgiving, 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 the pneumonia, however, he had to continue the breathing treatment for a while as he was sensitive to upper respiratory infections.

I continued to give thanks for my husband and God began to work in both of our lives, and 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. 

Pop meets Grant

Yes, there are still difficult days in my life, however, I am real quick to give thanks and look for how God is going to lead me step by step to get the better of the situation. He is always there to lead me, I just have to follow.

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. In the two days I have been working on this article, I have had four people text or call for prayer or encouragement. I know it is not me, but Christ in me they are drawn to.

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 and helping us. We can ask Him to open our eyes to see how we can be changed and triumph. Get excited about the triumphal procession that is ahead!

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie is a native of the Hill Country, educator, writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

 

Divine appointments and answered prayer

Divine appointments and the power of prayer

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright October 2017

On August 3rd, 2017, we were on the island of Kauai in Hawaii, visiting my oldest son and his family. It was my grand daughter Collins’ fourth birthday and my daughter-in-law, Laura and I decided to take her to the spa at the St. Regis Hotel for a manicure and pedicure. We felt it was our  female obligation to introduce her the pampering herself, especially since my son and husband were playing golf most of the day.

While we were at the spa, we visited with the nail technician, Cindy, and I took a picture of her doing Collins’ nails. 

“When is your baby due?” Cindy asked my daughter-in-law.

“October 12th,” Laura replied.

“My sister-in-law was due October 27th but she delivered twins a few weeks ago at 27 weeks” Cindy said.

“Oh my, how are they doing?” I asked.

“Well, we lost one twin, Faith, but Hope weighed 1lb 8oz and is still fighting for her life, in Honolulu, at a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU),” Cindy continued.

My heart went out to her sister-in-law, who was living at the hospital taking care of her baby and grieving the loss of her twin. I know what it is like to live in hospitals and know what it is like to lose someone you love.

As believers, we are called to help those that are going through trials and share in their suffering.

“I will pray for Hope and your family,” I stated, and then offered up a silent prayer for this mother and her child.

“Lord, heal this mother’s heart and breathe life into Baby Hope,” I prayed as I left the spa.

Numerous times after our spa day, I prayed for this baby I did not know and her parents. I prayed that God would help her to live and grow and prayed strength and provision for her parents.

I am forever grateful for those who prayed for my late husband and me as he battled cancer. I wanted to give back to someone else in a tough situation.

On September 6th, my son Austin and his wife Laura, gave birth five weeks early, to my new grandson, Grant Robert Maxwell. Our precious new addition to the family was put in the NICU in Honolulu, HI, to receive careful monitoring since he was a premature and had some other complications.

“Mom, Laura and I need you to come out and help if you can, as soon as possible,” my son said, as we visited on the phone, shortly after Grant’s birth.

I was happy to help and had a flight booked in a couple of hours.

Several days after I arrived in Hawaii, I took Collins to a Sibling Tea, that was hosted by the March of Dimes, in the lobby of the NICU. I sat next to another grandmother and her daughter. 

As we enjoyed our tea, I overheard the young mother sitting on the other side of me tell someone she was from the island of  Kauai and had delivered twins in July. One little girl did not make it, but her daughter, Hope was doing alright, she stated.

Could this be the baby and family I had been praying for? 

“Excuse me, I overheard your conversation and do you have a relative that works at the St. Regis Hotel in Kauai?” I asked.

“Yes i do,” replied the young mother, with a puzzled look on her face.

“My name is Kathleen, does she work in the spa?” I continued.

“I am Jean and yes, my sister-in-law works in the spa as a nail technician,” my new friend stated.

“I’ve been praying for you and your baby Hope for the past month.” I said excitedly.

I quickly showed Jean a picture I had taken of her sister-in-law and my grand daughter that I had taken and Jean smiled, confirming this was her relative.

“God has his had on your little girl’s life and I cannot believe I am getting to meet you!” I exclaimed. 

“i call this a divine appointment and this is such an encouragement to me to pray.  God loves you and your baby so much and has had this lady praying for you in Texas,” I said.

My new friend, her mom and I visited for a while and I prayed with Jean, for healing and blessing over her little girl, Hope.

Jean invited me to come see her baby, meet her husband, and I cannot tell you the joy I felt seeing this tiny baby that was now doing well and growing. Baby Hope weighed over 3 lbs and before I left to come back to Texas, she weighed 4 lbs. 

“Come back and pray again. Your prayers change the atmosphere and make it peaceful,” Jean said.

Often times we pray for people and we do not get to see the answers to our prayers. God was so kind to orchestrate things and let me meet this precious family. 

I still pray for my new friend and her baby, Hope. Jean sends me pictures and updates on her daughter and I am honored to intercede on their behalf.

My grandson Grant, is now out of the NICU and doing well and  I am back in Texas. Meeting Jean and Hope and experiencing this divine appointment has encouraged me in my faith and given me a new excitement to pray for others. 

Hope is now up to 6 lbs. 14 oz. and is still in the NICU. I talked to her mom the other day and she is hoping to take her home any day now.

The Bible instructs us to pray for others and share in their suffering. Who can you pray for today? Who needs you to take a few minutes of your day and invest in the life of those around you? I want to encourage you to be sensitive to God and pray for situations you encounter. And remember, you never know when you might have a divine appointment and get to see the answers to those prayers.

Fear is not your friend

Dove hunting 2017 with Rob and Mallory and my grands!

Fear is not your friend

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

copyright 2017

Walking through my neighborhood this week, I noticed decorations for Halloween at various home. At one home, there were all these scary looking creatures. I began to think of how God wants us to be filled with faith and confidence, not fear as we walk through this world. 

     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 and am thankful God has set me free from           various fears and the bondage fear brings.

       There are many different kinds of fear. A few that 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 my self 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 states, “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. 

Newest addition to our family! Grant Maxwell

     I love Isaiah 41:10 which 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. Dismayed means feelings of anxiety and consternation, usually by something unexpected. Have you ever had something unexpected happen? I have. 

     Proverbs 3:25 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! 

Now those are some 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. Knowing God personally, is the beginning of overcoming fear. Tell God you want a personal relationship with him. He will be delighted!

     The US Navy has a slogan that 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 our friend. Do not let fear rob you anymore. There is power in your words, so tell fear to go.

     Freedom is waiting...what are you afraid of?

Kathleen Maxwell is a native of the Hill Country, educator, writer and speaker. She is passionate about helping others discover the joy of walking with God and their value. You can contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com and on her blog www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com

Living above the clouds of life

Living above the clouds of life

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie

Copyright

September 2017

You and I are called and equipped to live a  supernatural lifestyle. I have discovered the supernatural life I am to lead as I have faced difficult circumstances, trials, conflict, misunderstanding, disappointments and being determined to discover what God is up to in those situations.

How about you? Have you encountered any of the above mentioned things lately? How did you handle them? Did you waste the opportunity to grow?

The meaning of the word supernatural means, “above our circumstances, above natural or to exist above and beyond nature”.

We have a God given right to rise above our circumstances and paint a picture above the clouds or storms of life.

I was recently flying to Hawaii and as we took off and headed west, the city below me began to pale. It looked totally different  from a higher perspective.

Not long into the flight, a storm arose and the captain came over the speaker, telling us were were around and above the storm. Suddenly, a beautiful sunset appeared with brilliant colors as we rose above the clouds.

Jesus rose above the storm in Matthew 14 and called Peter, an average guy, to do something that seamed impossible, to walk on water.

What are you facing right now that seems impossible? Perhaps it is staying with in a difficult marriage. Maybe it is dealing with a difficult coworker. It could be letting go of a love one or dealing with an unexpected diagnoses.

I know at times in my life, I have said to myself or someone else, “I just can’t do this.” The truth is, I can not,  but when there is a greater dependency on God, I can.

The key to a supernatural life is dependency on God.

I was talking to someone the other day, and the woman made the comment that she was so stressed out. I have had my share of stressful situations and life will be stressful, if we live in our circumstances, instead of the provisions God has for us.  

God sent Jesus so we can find joy in life no matter what is thrown at us. We cannot control  all our circumstances. Some come very unexpected.  We do not get any say  many of life’s trials. However, we do have a choice in how we will respond. We can either react or respond.

The Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:10 says, “On earth as it is in heaven.” (NIV) There is no stress in heaven, therefore, when we walk to the rhythm of thanking him, praying and then casting our cares on him, we learn to live life above the cloud of our perceived negative circumstances. We live a supernatural life.

I John 4:17 says, “ ...as he is, so are we in this world.” (NIV) Jesus is full of life and peace and we have the opportunity to practice abundant life and peace anytime we choose to.

There are plenty of people that lead stressed out lives. You and I do not have to be one of them.

I want to be someone that is known for living a life of joy and peace. Jesus paid a great price for me to do that. I owe it to him to be responsible for my own development in not letting negative circumstances steal my joy and peace.

This means I have to discipline myself to step back and live from the inside out, live from Christ in me. What about you?

Do you need to discipline yourself a little more? Do you live in your circumstances preoccupied with the problem or step back into Christ in you and walk in peace?

You and I are called to reveal to those around us who God really is. We are are not called to lead normal lives, but supernatural lives. Responding out of Christ in us is so much better than reacting to negative circumstances. God’s promises found in the Bible, and putting our confidence in the God who made heaven and earth,  will  lift us above the clouds of life.

Will you join me in painting a beautiful picture above the clouds of your life and living the supernatural life available to you?

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You are not discounted in God's eyes

You are not discounted in God’s eyes

copyright 

August 2017

Kathleen Maxwell-Rambie 

Have you ever felt like someone put a big stamp on your body that said, “discount?” 

 Perhaps you had someone discard your idea, not give it consideration, or even come right out and said, “that’s stupid.”

Abuse can make people feel discounted, less than, or that they do not matter.

Sometimes, people ignoring you can make you feel “discounted.” 

In praying and ministering to people, I have encountered many that have discussed situations where they were devalued by others and they began to see themselves as someone not treasured and valuable. Often low self esteem sets in unless they see themselves as God sees them and get healing for their heart. 

 I too, have experienced different situations where i felt my value as a person,  and what I had to contribute, was being reduced, ignored  and pushed aside.

People, situations, circumstances may work hard to “discount” you or me, but God’s heart for us is different. 

He states in Psalms 8:4-5, “What is man that you are mindful of him and the son of man that you should visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels and have crowned him with glory and honor.”

The word glory actually means, rich, weighty and valuable. God has placed on you and me a crown that says we are not discounted, we are very valuable. That is how the God that made you and me see us.

God’s heart about us is stated again in Deuteronomy 7:6.  “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” 

Isaiah 43:1-4 declares God’s heart again for us, counter acting any words or actions of those that have discounted us. “But now, this is what the Lord says- he created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel…Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you.”

God does not discount you or me. He treasures us, we are precious and honored in his sight, and his perspective trumps all others.

So why do people discount others? Often, the root cause is unresolved hurt in their own lives or insecurity. When someone has been wounded in their lives,  and that hurt is not healed or dealt with, they often times strike out at others to make them feel better about themselves.

Any situation that touches their insecurity, causes them to be defensive and lash out at those that threaten them. They often have a hard time complimenting others.

We cannot let the insecurities and hurt of others define us or believe words they may hurl at us. We must choose to believe what God says about us and that is that we are his beloved, which means, “much loved” sons and daughters.

The first step in walking free of situations and times where you have been devalued or discounted, is to first, forgive your offender. Choose to forgive or if you cannot do that, ask God for the grace to forgive. 

Second, take those memories and times you felt discounted to God and give them to him.  Ask him for his perspective of you. What does his word say? Choose to believe what God says, instead of others.

Ask him to heal your heart of the hurtful words and actions of others. God loves to heal broken hearts and reveal truth to people.

The good news is God loves to redeem any situation where you have been discounted. In his eyes, you are highly valued, his treasured possession, and dearly loved.

Kathleen is a native of the Hill Country and is passionate about helping people discover their value and worth and discover the joy of walking with God. Contact her at kathleenmaxwell1@gmail.com or visit her blog on www.themaxwellminutes.blogspot.com