Second Chapters and God’s Business

Second Chapters and God’s Business

    I am so amazed at times at the second chapters or acts in some of our lives. I look around me and what seemed to surely spell only disaster for someone’s life now rings of new hope and healing. I was very happy to share this news on the first day of a New Year about my daughter, Regina. After over five long years of working a program, paying it forward to many others through sponsorship and help in other ways, studying, counseling and more my oldest daughter not only is on the Board of the Rebecca Schneider Foundation but has just been officially "BADGED" to go out to the Volusia County Correctional Facility and spread the message that in her own words, "an addict, any addict, can lose the urge to use and stay clean! Woooo hooooo!"

      She went into the jail this week for the first time and from what she has said, was very blessed to do it. We know when the Lord has a great destiny the enemy tries hard to keep a person down and he has tried his hardest but didn’t win in Jesus name. It is true as the Bibles says that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Her second chapter is looking hopeful.

     I remember some years back that I felt that the Lord said “Life as you know it is getting ready to change.” I think it was right after that Shiloh and Brian came to us and said they wanted to get married in five days! Wow! What a whirlwind romance they had and then them leaving right after that to go to Rhema Bible College, life was really changing and probably truth be told I am still in shock. But it is a good kind of shock as in when the Lord gives you a very special favor. They make me laugh amidst many tears of life as I picture Shiloh having an animal farm someday, because she just can’t seem to get enough pets to love but their first love is youth ministryJ More about Shiloh and Brian as their second chapters evolve into beautiful works for the Lord.

   Life has seemed hard for Amber this chapter as the results of a “good, upscale doctor’s advise” at times which led to make her life harder. She has battled some medical things since she was five-years-old but rededicated her life to the Lord I think it was Sept. 2012 and I fully expect to see her giving her testimony one day on stage. I saw it in my mind many years ago and look forward to what the Lord has ahead for her. Little Aryel has been one of the greatest joys of my life, as the same can be said about all my grandchildren, but when you see someone who has an autoimmune disease live, laugh and love in the way that she does…well it makes my heart sing.

     Ashley, being the private person that she is, I try to give her that space, but she is one of the most beautiful, kindest women that the Lord ever created and one day all of my prayers for her will come about, I am sure. Her second act will be great.

     My second act is probably third or fourth at my age and only the Lord knows my days. I hope to see a family healed and whole before my final chapter. I am amazed at the goodness of the Lord as He continues to free me from the chains that had me bound for so many years. I am grateful to be married to Bill and will write more about him and all of our wonderful grandchildren one day.

     How can we conclude our second, third, fourth and following chapters without a really knowing what is ahead in our lives? This is my conclusion, and I believe the Lord gave it to me. Our lives, mine, yours, and our family’s are “God’s business.”

      I have always fervently believed and clung to the verse in Romans, 8:28.  I still do. But how God will work all things for good to me, because He loved and called me, I don’t know. There are some things we will not know until we face Him in Heaven. I have always believed that Jesus is with me, from the time I accepted Him as a young child. I couldn’t have survived a chaotic childhood, my own sexual abuse, first marriage to a pedophile, and then the ensuing years of struggle, without that knowledge. 

    Sometimes the pain has been so great, that I haven’t felt His presence, but I believe. Sometimes, I have felt that I would rather die, than live, but I believe. Sometimes, I wish, I could take the pain away from my family, but I believe that God will use it to perfect them, in some way, at some time. I believe that God can conceive the plans He has for me, for them, and for you, my friend, plans for a future and a hope.

     Why do I believe that I can leave my hopes and dreams to Him as His business? Because He is a good businessman!

      If we can trust earthly men who are great leaders and businessmen with our affairs how much more, can we, must we, trust the ultimate Father and businessman; the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him I dedicate my life and give the glory for what He will bring about and accomplish. He is the true lover of my soul; my dream come true! Donna Collins Tinsley

God will do what it takes----whatever it takes

To bring his children home

Max Lucado

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Romans 8:28