Have you ever bumped into somebody while at the grocery or in a social gathering that you had totally forgotten about? If so, did that reunion cause you to, “remember when?”
That sort of thing has happened in my own life lately and because it has happened more than once it caused me to wonder if the Lord was trying to tell me something.
My first encounter happened about two months ago when I attended a local ladies meeting called W.O.W. (Women of Worship). We gather to worship in song, listen to some anointed teaching and then fellowship over food.
At that meeting I approached a young mother who was rocking her tiny little baby. While talking to her about the baby her mom approached me and asked if my name was Terry. I didn’t recognize her so I asked, “Do I know you?”
She responded enthusiastically. “Yes, I am Roberta, I recognized your voice, do you remember me? My husband and I bought your house 25 years ago.”
Wow, the memories of that particular time in my life began to flood my soul. You see, I sold a house to this couple in 1991 through a land contract. In other words, I owed the bank but they contracted to pay me a certain amount each month for a total of 10 years. By 2001 their debt to me would be paid in full and they would then receive the deed.
It was a good deal for each of us. I had been renting the house for years but decided to stop being a landlord and go to college.
Memories of the car I drove when I first went back to school caused me to pray, “Lord, please keep this car running until I finish my degree.” He answered that prayer but I soon realized that I had prayed the wrong prayer.
You see, the car did putter up and down that long highway, faithfully, until graduation night. On my way to the ceremony it broke down and fortunately for me, a few good Samaritans stopped to help. Whatever they did to the car enabled me to get to the ceremony and back home again before the engine died completely.
At that point I called out to the Lord giving Him thanks for answering my prayer. But, at the same time I let Him know that I’d like to keep on going to school and possibly get a Bachelors. While He listened to me I also shared my dilemma, “Lord, now I need a car but can’t afford the payments unless I work more hours which would mean less time to be a mom and no time to study. Lord, you are the way maker! If I am to continue, show me the way. But, if I have sufficient education for what you have called me to do, I am content.”
Then the next morning Roberta called me. She had no idea about what had happened the night before or the prayer I had prayed. But, she was calling to say, “We can and will continue to make monthly payments but we would rather go ahead and buy out the contract if you will let us. We can have the money by Thursday if you want to meet us at the bank.” I agreed.
At that bank meeting the following Thursday I received a check that not only paid off my entire loan, clearing my entire consolidated debt which I had on their home as well as two other houses. Plus, in addition to that I ended up with $10,000.00 left over. Guess what I was able to do with that money?
I purchased two cars, one for me and one for my son who was also in college. Wow! That felt terrific! And, because I now had a car without a payment I continued my education.
So, when I was conversing with Roberta, God was reminding me how He had always been my provider even when things looked impossible.
About two weeks after that, however, I began to understand more about what the Lord was trying to say to me. I was at church on a Sunday morning when a lady asked, “Are you Terry? Are you thee Terry? Yes, it is you, I can tell by your voice!”
During this chat I learned that a friend from long ago was this girl’s mother. Again, memories began to flood my soul. It seemed evident that God was setting me up to meet people from my past. The question was, “WHY”?
My friend, Frances, and I had attended the same church when I was a new believer in Jesus Christ. I always shared personal stories with her about how I saw the hand of the Lord in my life. She seemed to be enthusiastic about how I applied the scriptures and experienced the promises of God.
Frances often encouraged me to find a platform to teach. She’d say, “You need to get in front of a lot of people. They need to hear you!”
So, as I stood there talking with her daughter the Lord began to show me that Frances was the one who first began to call out that teaching gift in me.
I still questioned the significance of the sound of my voice. I mean, two different women within two weeks of each other?? I strongly believed that God was trying to tell me something specific about that.
A few weeks went by before I received a phone call from my sister who by the way is very familiar with my voice. She called to say that my siblings and I were being contacted in regards to our deceased parent’s home.
At that moment, memories began to flood my soul, again. Only this time, rather than the warm fuzzies like I experienced when meeting Roberta and Frances’ daughter I now felt all kinds of emotions. The thoughts that bombarded my mind went from good ones to bad and from bad ones to good. It was as if the pages of time were flipping from one chapter of my life to another, ranging from early childhood through today as I reminded about what went on inside of that house.
While drying my eyes I asked the Lord why He was pointing to things from my past. He usually tells us to press into our destiny so I was curious about the purpose for these encounters.
I heard in my spirit, “Your stories are similar to those of many others. And though some of those individuals may not recognize you by the sound of your voice they will recognize the voice of truth when you speak about how faithful I AM. You know how to share stories about what the enemy means for bad and how I turn them into something good.”
It was true, I had had a lot of experience and knew that because the enemy certainly tried to steal, kill and destroy everything concerning my life. That is who he is. However, when I met Jesus He gave me eyes to see and ears to hear God so I could experience abundant life. That is who He is.
In exchange for what He gave me, I gave Him my past and present hurts as well as all of my disappointments. He has taught me how to extract the precious from the worthless (Jeremiah 15:19) by speaking His words and following His ways.
You can do that too! But, if you have not yet met Jesus, let me introduce you. He is here, knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to come in. All you have to do is open that door and invite Him in.
He will give you the ability to see and hear what the Holy Spirit would say and then all you have to do is obey.
God did not remind me of my past for any other reason than to remind me that my purpose is to glorify Him by telling others how faithful He is.
He knows all about your past but, He also knows your purpose. He has heard you if you have lifted up your voice towards Him…have you heard His?
Call on Him now and let Him show you how to get to your destiny.
Let me hear from you if you need special prayer.
Blessings,
Dr. Terry
Thank you my friend. Our journey has purpose.
Yes it does, my friend, Jeanette. The purpose is far greater than we can even think or even imagine. Isn’t it a mystery how He unfolds it right before our very eyes?
“He has taught me how to extract the precious from the worthless …”
Terry this spoke to me in regards to my “looking back” at times in my past that I regard as “worthless.or damaging” in my life — events or situations that are best forgotten. To realize those were not times to try and forget…but instead times that something valuable was gained is a huge paradigm shift for me. Thank you, friend, for staying comitted to what you were called to do.
Semone, Your comment here really hits to the heart of what I hoped to have communicated. If we only trust God, He will give us eyes to see what we need to rather than focusing only on what seems to be hard or difficult. And, thanks for your other comment about commitment. When God shows me something it is most difficult to not share it with others. I am so grateful that those things I have to deal with will help or encourage others as well. Blessings to you my friend.
Dr. Terry’s personal life and background led to the writing of this book.
Everyone starts out wanting to live their dream life, but sometimes it turns into a nightmare.
Dr. Terry gives us very specific instructions on the “how to” live out our dream life. The foundation or “Character Blocks” are crucial.
She does an excellent job of showing what to do and how to do it.
The foundation is God’s Word. Specifically, Matthew 22: 37-39, “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
I whole-heartedly recommend this book for everyone: for all ages and stages of life.
Thank you Penny for your wonderful comments about my book, Character Blocks. We agree that it would be advantageous for any age and all stages of life.
You have been such a blessing to me for years as you partnered with me in prayer birthing this book. Thank you!