November 6, 2024

New Beginning

Hi, everyone, my name is Tina Marin. I am a mother to a son, Brandon, age 22, a daughter Nikki, 25, and a wife to John for 17 years. I live in Murfreesboro, TN where I attend World Outreach Church and serve in a couple of different areas.

I have known Megan for a little over a year while serving with High School Infinity, but more intentionally through an online Bible study. I must say, I have found it easier to have a relationship with other women as I mature than when I was younger. Partly a trust issue I suppose. I haven’t been much of a role model in that area and I never saw it modeled very well.

However, through it all God has his hand in my life. My aunt and uncle adopted me, while both of my parents were still alive and I always seemed to know I did not belong to them. We lived in Memphis, TN for a while and moved to North Mississippi until I was around 22 when I moved to Memphis to live with my half-sister. That was an adventure. Anyway, God always had made my heart soft and pliable, not able to hold a grudge after I worked through the anger, hurt and forgiveness necessary.

God had his hand in my life, it was not until I received deliverance that I knew I was a daughter of the King, forgiven and redeemed through the precious blood of Jesus. I felt His loving embrace, encouraging me to become the woman I strive every day to be for Him.

You see, even though I did not have my original family, God knew what family I did need.  He knew what I would go through as a child. I love my parents, both sets, and I know my Aunt (Mom) did the best she could with what was going on. Even though I was mistreated, I still had to honor them for who they were to me and I had to release them from the anger, guilt, and shame I had. It was up to me to release it, not them to say they were sorry, because God would take care of that for me. I had to take care of my part in everything that happened and forgive myself. Once I was able to do that, I could move on. Did that happen overnight, in two months, two years? No, I had to work on some of it for a while.

God had his hand in my life, it was not until I received deliverance that I knew I was a daughter of the King, forgiven and redeemed through the precious blood of Jesus. I felt His loving embrace, encouraging me to become the woman I strive every day to be for Him.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for revealing the truth, that I am a child of the King! I know the precious blood of Christ your son redeems me and that you have adopted me, yet again, into your Family! How great and wonderful is that. I love you Father and pray your grace and comfort to those who read this today. In Jesus’ precious name, AMEN!

____________________________________________________________

If you are interested in joining us in our GCH:decaf Teen Girls Ministry, please click the sign-up form button at the top of our webpage. Just follow the instructions on the form and hit submit. We’ll be happy to add you to one of our Online Bible Study Groups! Our new study A Daughter’s Worth starts October 1st! Please email teens@girlfriendscoffeehour.com for more information.

Like Be the first one who likes this post!
About Megan Smidt

Megan Smidt – Co-Founder of Girlfriends Coffee Hour
Megan and her husband Craig live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, along with their 5 children ranging in age from 21 years old to 14. Megan is a Certified Christian Life Coach specializing in Relationship Coaching and more specifically, Blended Family Relationships. She also works part-time as Personal Assistant to Christian Musician Yancy. She loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys reading, music, movies, photography, paper crafting, sewing and roller skating.

Comments

  1. Hi Tina. Nice to meet you. Thank you for sharing your life with teens. I know there are many girls out there walking the paths you have already experienced. Some in my own home. I am looking forward to getting to know you better as we serve together. <3

  2. Reblogged this on Glory to Glory and commented:
    Come meet my dear friend Tina this morning over at the GCH:decaf blog and read all about how God gives us new beginnings <3

  3. thank you so much, tina, for sharing a bit of what makes tina…tina! i thank God for having His hand on you…giving much grace, mercy and love into your life! <3

  4. what a blessing you are to our ministry, Tina!! Thank you for sharing this piece of your story with us! God is so good! 🙂

  5. Jordan Spring says

    Thank you for being so open, honest, and willing to share your story!! Blessed by your transparency.
    ~Jordan

  6. Tina, Your story blessed me! I, too, come from a background of abuse. So I know what you mean about how hard it was. But, I also know what you mean about how it feels to be delivered! He is amazing! Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!! I am blessed to have you in our Teens Ministry! <3 U!

  7. Tina, yes it is truly a joy to realize that we are daughters of the most high King! I didn't know you lived in Memphis for a bit 🙂 I bet that was truly an adventure! LOL! Memphis is a rather interesting city. I loved your blog! I'm glad that God has placed you in y life for this time in my life. What an awesome sister in Christ you are! Love you already 🙂 <3