Withholding Nothing

By Cha'ntel Y. Davis

When I tell you that my heart raged against the Lord, it raged against the Lord when it came to this particular season of my life. Whether I made these decisions for myself or if this were another one of those assignments God had me on. Either way they both were tormenting and long suffering.

I thought God had finally answered my prayers. I was living right. I was doing everything that He said for me to do, to the best of my ability.
He said, He would give me my hearts desire.
Just wait on the Lord, they say!

I thought I was being rewarded for not becoming weary during my well doing. Then with a blink of an eye, He snatched it all back. Where did I go wrong? I felt as though all my good living had gone in vain. I had not been living this way my whole life not even half my life, but I had to start some place. Why is it that we blame God when the plans that we have for our own lives dont work out?

Have you ever considered Gods plans for your life are even better than the ones you could ever imagine for yourself? Thats why Hes the Father because He knows whats best for his children. He is Alpha and Omega. He knows your beginning and your end.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back.... to the place from which I carried you into exile. Jeremiah 29:11-14.

Does that sound like a God that wants to keep something from you? If anything, He wants to get everything that He has for you, to you. But like any good parent, He doesnt give you anything youre not ready for.

My prayer to you is that before you make any major decisions for yourself; align them with the plans of the Lord. Allow your heart to be open to hear His voice and what He has to say concerning your life. Make sure youre not asking God for things and people that are not in His will for you to have. Or you will always feel as though Hes never hearing or answering any of your prayers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 31, 2015
• ISBN: 9781491899113

Cha'ntel Y. Davis

“God is in control, and therefore in everything, I can give” thanks. Not because of the situation, but because of the one who directs and rules over it. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio in a two parent household. I am the single mother of a 21 yr. old son Jimmy D Brundidge 3rd who has been my biggest fan. The last 18 yrs. I have been employed in the medical field. I have a true desire for helping people, specifically the disadvantaged. No matter the requirement. I am a mentor, a friend and a sister to those around and to the individuals whom have been called to me. Dear Lord, as I take the next steps of my life’s journey, let me take them with you. Whatever the coming day may bring, I will thank you for the opportunity to live abundantly. Thank you LORD for using me, Chantel Davis

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2015 Cha’ntel Y. Davis. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 07/25/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9910-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9911-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014905606

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Website.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Website

Contents

Foreword

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

About the Author

Reference

Foreword

When I tell you how delighted I am to know this young lady and to have watched her grow from a preemie to the woman of God that she is becoming. To have nurtured her, guided her, and some days held her in her quest for herself and God. Yet to know her in this way through her book is mind blowing to me. The truth is, even though I am her mother, mothers never know all the trials and tribulations our children go through and good thing because I don’t think I would want to know because if it is painful for them, how much more painful it is for us.

I watched Chantel for the last couple of years go head first into implementing this assignment with much trepidation. I saw her toil day after day after work, every weekend. She made Starbucks her home. She lived in the far left corner in the back smelling like every Frappuccino flavor on the menu. If we wanted her we all knew we could find her there.

In this book Chantel courageously opens herself up to tell her story in hopes that it may help someone who may have been through or is going through or coming out of life’s stuff. Everybody has a story to tell. Everyone has been in love, loved for love, lost for love, hurt for love, and even died for love. Everyone needs a Savior! Not only does she tell of her bondage she also tells of her imploring to God.

Chantel Yvonne Davis, I love you! I am sure that this is the beginning of a new thing. I pray that God will continue to open doors for you and show you His glory. I pray you continue to listen to God as he talks to you, because he is always speaking in His word. I pray you live your dreams out loud, and may this book be the beginning of a new ministry for the Kingdom.

In Jesus Name

Ma

Special Thanks:

My Family in faith The Word Church. My Spiritual parents and covering Senior Pastor, Dr. R.A. Vernon & Lady Vernon; My Ministry Leader, Belinda Martin; Service Leader, John Malone; The Welcome Team, Elder Reno and Elder Mark Jackson. Take the Steps, this message blessed my life. Brother Twan; Salina, Sister in Christ. Parents, Earl & Yvonne Hegler. Siblings, Dude, Brian, Juan, Babe, Aja; Jimmy D. Brundidge III, Son ( My Sonshine). Uncle Bubba, thanks for all you do. April McGuire, Aunt and the rest of my family. Also thanks to Yolonda Allen, best friend for 30 years. Meranda Hampton, Toka R. Ivey, Monique Goodwin, Danielle Davaughn (Lil Chair), Danielle Ross (Honey). Barbie & Bernice West, thanks for all your prayers. The Brundidge Family. Amber Anderson, Donnie Evans, Brenda Minters, Bonita Collier, Ebony Franklin, Sharita Williams, Harvey Willis, Anthony Wilburn (Bussy). Tanazia Morris Mentee. La’Shelle Henderson, CNP; Shae’Ron Peterson, LPN. Ashley Jackson, LPN; Kyle Cole, LPN. Thank you ladies for uplifting and encouraging me with your emails as I wrote day in and day out. Dr. Kates & Associates. Dale Kates, thank you so much for always speaking into my life. Marquita Oliver, Director of Nursing; Marissa Bechtold, Physical Therapist; Vickie Bearden, Stylist Spotlight Salon; Cynthia Douglas Editor http://www.apathtosuccessresumes.com. Photo Creations By Carla. Starbucks Family, Asia, Starr, Daniel, Mandie, Gedale, Marcus, Ricky, Darryl. Toya, Daryl, Delvin, William, Tiffani at Chipotle. Open Pit BBQ on St.Clair, you all are so wonderful to me, thank you. May God bless you all and many, many more.

I love you all dearly……..

I

dedicate this to you:

Do not resist or run from the difficulties in life. These problems are not random mistakes, they are hand-tailored blessings designed for your benefit and growth. Embrace all the circumstances that I allow in your life, trusting Me to bring good out of them. View problems as opportunities to rely more on Me.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9.

Seven is the number of Completeness and Perfection. Both physical and spiritual. These seven chapters of my life changed my life.

A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the Lord.

Chapter One

It was a little after 11pm. My girl Mo and I had gone downtown together to check out this comedy show that was here in Cleveland. Mo had to work at the night club after the show was over. Since I rode with her, Chaun would be there to pick me up afterwards. During the show I checked my phone for the time. I had seen that he called me over 10 times. That was weird to me because he knew where I was. When I tried to call his cell back he didn’t answer. Hopefully, there wasn’t anything wrong and he was just checking for me. There would have been no way I could have heard him on the phone.

The comedian performing was really loud not to mention the show was sold out. I’ll try him again once I’m outside the building. Maybe the reason for his calls were to see what time he should head my way, considering he lived almost 40 minutes west of downtown.

Chaun and I had been dating for a while. It wasn’t for years and years, but I promise your heart doesn’t know time. We as people are the ones who keep up with that. Chaun and I had fallen for each other so fast. It was like he and I watched ourselves outside our own bodies grow in one another. He would be the man that I could spend the rest of my life with and I don’t say this loosely.

Chaun would say things to me like, he’s never met anyone like me and he’s never fallen for a woman so quickly. He explained if we continued this way in our relationship he would definitely marry me. He mentioned this to me pretty often. Who am I to say if he were lying or not. Truly different people make you feel different ways. Maybe this was one of those times for him. He began to tell me how much he loved me. He would express how he was most comfortable in my presence and I was becoming his best friend. We shared some of the deepest secrets that we felt were only safe between his heart and mine. He and I had long nights of pillow talk that never left the pillow.

I knew in my heart I loved him, but I wasn’t going to say it to him first. Was that petty of me? It was, wasn’t it? Why is it that if a man says he loves a woman first it’s cool, but if women say it first to the male, we’re crazy? Help me out here guys. Slow down don’t touch, heck all of the above. Pastor has a chapter in his book, Pace Yourself- Slow down. Had we applied all the rules in Dr. Vernon’s 10 Rules of Dating the relationship between Chaun and I would have remained pure.

Once the show ended, Mo and I hugged then said our good-byes. I promised to call her once I arrived home to let her know that I made it there safely. Unfortunately, that never happened. When I stepped out of the building, Chaun was parked in front of the Wolstein Center in his white Bentley truck. Dude’s were walking up giving Chaun dap on his truck.

Walking towards the truck I just began to smile thinking, Dang, I love this man!

He wasn’t even doing anything spectacular besides waiting on me. I loved simple things and him waiting on me was simple enough. And he was on time. Ladies