I originally wrote this blog post in August and it meant a lot to others, so I thought I would share it again.
Have you ever met that one person in your life that simply looked at you and you felt changed? Their smile made you long for a deeper relationship with Christ. Their hugs gave you a feeling of safety you never knew existed.
I want to introduce you to someone. Someone who has done this for me.
Meet Ted…
December 2006
I met him when I walked into Woodland Hills Family Church as a lost sheep roaming through this world having no idea I needed a Shepard.
Ted was the first person that introduced himself and gave me a hug. I wasn’t a huggy person then, so the fact that he got close enough to do it was definitely from God. I had never experienced anything quite like that. Only one word can describe it – safe.
Over the course of the next six months I watched Ted’s actions. His words inspired, but his actions did more. His smile inspired me. To see a grown man stand on stage and cry when discussing his faith made me long for something like that. The way his heart reached out to others allowed me to see a form of authenticity I had never seen before. I wanted that.
Six months after meeting Ted for the first time and receiving that unforgettable hug, I cried out to Jesus in the middle of my office and gave him my life. I wanted what Ted had.
As I began a new journey in my life, Ted walked with me through it. He gave me truth. He showed me what love from Jesus was. He showed me the heart of a man I had never seen before.
December 2008
Ted prayed with me as I traveled to spend the last days with my dying father.
February 2009
Ted led the funeral of my dad and gave a sermon that brought tears to the eyes of alcoholics, drug addicts, and many lost people that gathered in that room to mourn the loss of my father. Ted didn’t just help me mourn. He helped me celebrate. Because my dad came to know the Lord on his death bed, Ted was able to share that story with others.
At the end of my dad’s funeral, five people raised their hands as Ted invited them to accept Christ into their hearts.
I’ll never forget the words he said to me.
“You’re dad did more for others in his death than he did in his life. Let’s celebrate.”
August 2009
His jeep pulled up at my apartment and as I met him downstairs dressed in a beer stained shirt, swollen eyes from tears, and a broken heart, he said words that changed my life.
“I’m not your father. I’m not your grandfather. But I’m going to talk to you like you’re my daughter. You need help and I love you too much to watch you do this to yourself.”
Two hours later he hugged me as I got in the vehicle to head to The Table Rock Freedom Center.
February 2010
He baptized me with the look of a proud father on his face.
August 2010
He sat in the front row as I shared my story of how God had changed my life as I graduated from TRFC. We also celebrated our over 100 pound weight loss.
August 2011
We sat at our favorite little diner, Clocker’s Cafe in downtown Branson and talked about the changes God had made in our lives. We shared stories. We shared silent moments of bittersweet memories. That feeling of safety came back as I dipped my spoon in the hot oatmeal and allowed myself to be vulnerable with the man who made me want to be more like Jesus.
If you’ve never met Ted, I hope someday you do. His smile will captivate you. His heart will bring tears to your eyes. His words will challenge you. You can’t walk away the same as before.
Is there a Ted in your life? Comment below…