Toyna began to the study the bible. She grew as a student of the Bible, learning the message and growing in wisdom about God. Although Toyna was able to mature while away, when she was released she fell back into dependency and addictive behaviors -- which were ways to fill voids her life. She was ashamed and ultimately lost her way.
During her second time behind bars, Toyna had a conversation with God and re-dedicated her life to Him. She promised to serve God even it meant doing so while locked up. Toyna led a fellow inmate to salvation. The inmate had written to the judge more than six times to ask for leniency and was told by the judge that if she did not stop writing letters, more time would be added to her sentence. In prayer the Lord told Toyna to tell the young lady to write again. The next letter resulted in getting thirteen years suspended from her sentence; the young inmate was released thirty months later.
The nuggets Toyna shared based on her experiences and the life lessons resonated with me. Toyna reminds us that we are human, subject to failing yet, in spite of that we should learn to trust God. She faced such adversity but still had hope while believing in a higher power to bring her through the rough patches that she met in life.
Each of us processes life’s lessons in our own way. For some the threat of being in jail would scare them straight. There are others who are caught up in a vicious cycle of repeating mistakes and never able to break free from the rut.
"Tonya's story is a beacon of hope. After making mistakes, she learned from them and has drawn into a closer relationship with God.
To find out more about Toyna,
or the God who changed her life,
contact us at www.boldmovenow.com
Carol C. Bailey is a wife, mother, grandmother, actress and writer.