ACTIVATE(D): Terilynn #3 - "From Death to Life"
I answered the phone because I saw that it was Cody*, one of my incredible staff members. He was getting ready for the memorial of his father, which I would be attending in the morning.
After discussing some details of the memorial, Cody ended our call by excitedly sharing, “Terilynn, we almost didn’t have this memorial. I asked God what HE wanted me to do and He boldly said, ‘Yes, you will!’ Terilynn, this closure is not for me anymore… Celebrating his life is only a part of this memorial because God told me there is a DIVINE APPOINTMENT waiting!”
I got so excited with this report and let Cody know that I would undoubtedly be there, anxiously waiting to see what God had in store!
The next morning, I rushed off to see what God was going to do. I was greeted at the entrance by a beautiful woman who said, “Thank you for coming.” I was stunned with the sense that I knew this woman, but when I asked her, she didn’t know me. I swear God shined a light directly on her head. I asked her how she was connected with the memorial, and she shared that the memorial was for her father. I realized then she was Cody's sister. I asked her what her name was, and she answered, “Terri.” That was it! God made it so obvious that this was the Divine Appointment HE had in store—He’d given us the same name, Terri!
I proceeded down the aisle in a bit of shock when I asked God to confirm, “Am I on deck?! Is this the Divine Appointment that Cody mentioned?!” At that moment, Cody walked up to greet me, and I just looked at him, wide-eyed. All that would come out of my mouth was, “Your sister doesn’t know Jesus.“
Cody sadly answered, “No.”
The memorial was beautiful as many family members took the pulpit sharing wonderful stories. When it was Terri’s turn, I saw the big question-mark engulfing this beautifully broken woman as she spoke. With every word, I knew that Jesus was seeking her.
Near the end of the memorial, the pastor invited those who didn't know Jesus to begin a relationship with Him and to raise their hands if they wanted to. I couldn’t help myself and peeked over to see Terri, HIS precious daughter, raise her little fingers tucked down by her side. This was the best that she could do, and my heart melted knowing that my moment was soon to come!
As the guests began to exit, the Lord perfectly placed Terri by herself up at the front of the church. Tripping all over myself, I approached Terri. I told her she would probably think I was crazy, but I felt that God wanted me to speak with her. She just stared at me. Pushing past the awkward silence, I invited her to reconnect with me through her brother, Cody. She shyly said, “Okay.”
I walked away still shaking and asking myself, What had I just done?
I left, figuring she would ask her brother who this “crazy woman” was, and I would never see her again. The next morning, I woke to my first cup of coffee with my cell phone buzzing. Tears joyfully filled my eyes when I heard Terri’s voice leaving her telephone number on my voicemail!
The Lord had orchestrated every step and He was on the move. I wasn’t exactly sure what the conversation would sound like, but it was more than clear that God had this all planned out.
I met with Terri the next day on Zoom and in just moments, my questions had her sobbing. The more Terri shared, I knew that the Lord had hand-picked her for me; her life was more than similar to mine in years past.
Since then, I have had the privilege of discipling Terri over Zoom. We have prayed for her salvation and how to live in a posture of repentance. She shares incredible stories of how the Lord has been making Himself present to her in so many ways, big and small. She is thrilled with her progress in getting to know Him and has begun to notice a new sense of peace.
It is so breathtaking to be part of someone’s coming to Jesus through their tears, tripping all over themselves, getting back up again, praying boldly, and realizing how desperately they need God.
*Name changed