God's Hand on My Life: He Has Never Let Me Go

By Bettie Fontaine Thompson

God has had His hand on the author’s life throughout her days. He has never let her go, no matter the depths of darkness to which she has descended. From her early life loss of her birth father to her marriage to the love of her life and her eventual marriage break up to her blossoming as a vibrant Christian witness to God’s saving, healing power, this story is a compelling one of God’s constant provision for her in all circumstances.
Readers will be delighted by the joyous family interactions, dismayed by the struggles and sin that threatened to defeat her, and dramatically lifted by the triumph of faith in which Bettie has grown.
It is a story that is hard to put down, compelling the reader to want to read to the end of the drama as quickly as possible. Surely, God’s hand on her life reveals that, in truth, He has never let her go. This promise of hope is not only for the author but for all seeking God’s help, forgiveness, and saving grace. No matter what one is going through, they can rely on God’s goodness and faithfulness. Bettie is a witness to the love and gracious provision of Jesus Christ in all circumstances and in all struggles of life.
Come and see the joy that is Jesus. His promise to never leave us nor forsake us has proved true for Bettie and will do so for all who trust in Him. To God be all glory and honor and blessing! Hallelujah! Amen!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Dec 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798886854411

Book preview

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God's Hand on My Life

He Has Never Let Me Go

Bettie Fontaine Thompson

ISBN 979-8-88685-440-4 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88685-441-1 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Bettie Fontaine Thompson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

All biblical citations were taken from the New International Version of the Holy Bible unless otherwise indicated.

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

The Beginning

Chapter 2

An Even Earlier Beginning of God's Provision for Me

Chapter 3

A New Daddy

Chapter 4

Athletics, School Days, and the Love of My Life

Chapter 5

My Faith History at This Point in My Life

Chapter 6

College Years

Chapter 7

Graduation and Marriage

Chapter 8

Catching Up on My Faith History

Chapter 9

Early Married Life—Troubles Ahead

Chapter 10

Married, No Children

Chapter 11

My Career Change and Mama's Illness

Chapter 12

God's Continued Provision and Mama's Death

Chapter 13

Back to the Children Issue

Chapter 14

A New Home and More

Chapter 15

A New Job, Another New Home, and A New Church

Chapter 16

Life on Merwin Road

Chapter 17

My Faith History—Another Chapter

Chapter 18

Another Promotion, Another Move, More New Life

Chapter 19

New Job for Me and Scary Time for My Husband

Chapter 20

Darkness Ensues

Chapter 21

New Boss and New Troubles

Chapter 22

God Is Not Mocked—Whatsoever You Sow, You Shall Reap

Chapter 23

The Separation, Divorce, and New Hope on My Faith Journey

Chapter 24

The Diagnosis: Bipolar Disorder

Chapter 25

About My Cousins and My Brother and Sisters and Their Families

Chapter 26

Retirement and A New Home, A New Car, and A New Life

Chapter 27

Rumbles and Rambles of My Recent Life

Chapter 28

My Recent Faith Journey

Chapter 29

Politics and the End of All Things

Chapter 30

Conclusion—God Is Good and He Loves Me and You!

Afterword

About the Author

This book is dedicated to the glory of God, whose love and provision for me has endured through the love of my family, friends, and fellow believers all the days of my life! Thank you, Jesus!

I write this book in loving memory of my grandparents, my mother, my birth father, my adoptive father, and my brother. Each one has contributed to my being able to be here today and to know God's work in my life. Thanks be to God for their love and their lives!

Foreword

Bettie is an excellent communicator. I started reading, and I just ate some supper about fifteen minutes ago near, 8:30 p.m. I was just compelled to continue reading. She has a wonderful life story contained in these thirty chapters. She had some dark times that the Lord has seen her through. The most exciting part for Bettie has to be the life experiences that show how the Lord was drawing her to Him and how He has used her throughout her life. Now that she is fully absorbed with focusing on knowing Him better, life is a wonderful journey. That makes the book a wonderful testimony of His power to guide and help us each and every day.

I am thankful that she shared about her wonderful family, and her life in such an open manner and with her present relationship with Jesus Christ! Bettie and Jesus have created a winner!

—Horace Robertson,

educator, consultant, and an active member

of Gideons International

I admire Bettie's authenticity in sharing not only her faith in Jesus but the details of her life struggles and shortcomings. Since we all struggle, her transparency is disarming and helps the reader fully identify with her pilgrimage. Her life's roller-coaster ride has ascended the heights and plunged the depths! Most importantly, the journey has led her to magnify Christ more and more and reminds me of John 3:30: He must increase, but I must decrease.

From Will Joslin, Author of God, Guts, and Gallantry: The Faith, Courage and Accomplishments of Major James Lide Coker. Will has a history of two decades in full-time ministry and over two more running his own business. He has a master of theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and an online doctor of sacred literature (D. S. Lit.) from Wycliffe Theological Seminary.

Preface

Why should I write a book about my life? I am no one special except in the eyes of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Perhaps this book will help others along the way as they see how God has worked in my life throughout my seventy-two years—as well as long before I was born. God has made each of us special. Here is hoping this story will bring a bit of light into someone's darkness. God is faithful and true, of which I am a shining example.

Acknowledgments

I want to acknowledge and thank several people who have contributed to the publication of this book. My oldest sister graciously agreed to read over and make suggestions for changes or corrections to my book. She also encouraged me by being willing to read the manuscript early on. I also thank my younger sister and my sister-in-law for not laughing me out of the room and for not being too shocked at some of the revelations in the book and for proofreading and making early corrections. I have a special note of gratitude to my friend Jacky from the UK, who was the first to read the book, and to my Troon neighbor and Bible study leader, who read it second. Both friends provided my first positive feedback with kind words and encouragement.

I also want to acknowledge and thank Karen Marshall Stephens and Christian Faith Publishing Inc. Karen treated me with respect and dignity from the beginning of our interaction. She helped me get the photographs entered into the process. I will always be grateful to have such an outstanding literary agent and publishing company. God bless them both!

Chapter 1

The Beginning

An easy place to start is with my birth on October 24, 1949, in the small mountain town of Elkin in North Carolina. I was born to my mother and my father in that beautiful town. My father was a Presbyterian preacher who was called by God to the Elkin Presbyterian Church. He was more than just a preacher in Elkin. He was a minister to the whole community, especially to the young people at Elkin High School. Mama and her husband had been married in a double wedding with Mama's sister and her husband. My uncle was also a Presbyterian preacher, having been called by God to pastor a church in