From Death to Life

How were you resuscitated?

I used to hesitate to share this part of me, which is something I had to actively work through. It was a mix of feeling ashamed of the person I once was and apprehension of being in those stretch discussions about my beliefs. I’ve constantly reminded myself that those feelings do not come from God, and he granted me authority through him, so I should walk in that every day.

I grew up in the church and was a dedicated church girl. I was active in choir, dance, sign language, drama, community service, VBS, etc. I’ve heard the word of God my whole life, but it didn’t penetrate my mind or heart. When I made the decision to be water baptized several years ago, I went in believing my best days would follow. I was scared of the level of demand and commitment I accepted, but I knew it needed to be done. I heard the call, and I answered, but if you saw me, you couldn’t tell. My most tumultuous and grievous days were ahead. I was so weak in spirit and surrounded myself with everything that countered the journey I committed to. A year and a half later, the holy spirit knocked the wind out of me AGAIN, and this time around, my rebirth was unfeigned. I thank God for his deliverance. I thank him for grace to be able to remove the veil and see the depth of his sacrifice before it was too late.

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:14

The isolation period was worth it. The sacrifices made were worth it. The major life changes were worth it. Being left out was worth it. The death of the old me was so worth it. I’m still a work in progress, but living for him out loud has been the best part of my life. It’s not easy, especially when you’ve tasted sin in its many forms and “lived that life” but my goodness, it’s much more satisfying on this side of existence.

Though I am born again, the hand of God has always been on my life. When I was an adolescent rebel, there was a defining moment for both me and my mother that proved the never-ending love Big G had for me, Ashlee Robyn.

It was a school night around 8 p.m. when my mother and I just got done bickering about something foolish, and to free myself from the hostile environment, I decided I was going to leave the house. My plan was to drop off shoes at the shoemaker down the hill for repair. I got ready and ventured outside into what felt like a pitch-black void. As I approached the gates to our front yard, the neighbor’s dogs directly across from us (who I had never even regarded before) bum-rushed me in the most aggressive way. For context, this is in Jamaica, where most people have outdoor guard dogs.

At this point, I’m still in my front yard at the gate, afraid, puzzled, and shocked. These dogs never frightened me before, and they came all the way across the street to attack me at my yard gate — strange. I walked back towards the verandah to allow them to cool off, and they immediately returned to their front yard. I headed back to the gates to open them, and they ran across the street again. I now called for my mom as backup to help me get out because I assumed they smelled the fear on me and wouldn’t let up. I was so determined that this back-and-forth went on for at least another fifteen minutes. Me returning to the verandah, and them returning to their front yard as silent as can be. Me attempting to get through the gate, and them basically barking me back in. Eventually, I grew exhausted and went back inside the house.

The next morning, as I headed out the house to school, I forced my mom to be on the lookout, anticipating another attack. Those dogs didn’t even lift their ears at the sound of me opening the gate. It’s almost as if they looked through me when they saw me walking out—it was eerie.

Do you see the love of God? I don’t know what was waiting for me at the bottom of the hill that night or on my way there, but the holy spirit discharged two angels in those dogs to keep me from leaving my house. I thank Yeshua dearly every time I remember. I hope whoever reads this can perceive how God works to protect us, and that supernatural intervention is done on our behalf; we’re just tasked with believing. | Ps. 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

The night prior, those dogs would return to their owner’s front yard as long as I walked away from the gate, but as soon as they saw me grab the latch, they ran towards me and barked so earnestly. The only thing that was left for them to do was to audibly scream, “Ashlee DON’T GO, STAY HOME!”

I have many testimonies similar to this one, which causes me to reflect on how God has called me throughout my life and showed up for me in supernatural ways, yet I ignored him. I remember the night I became cognizant that I was breaking his heart continuously by not walking in his word. It was that very mirroring that brought me back to him, and I plan on staying here.

Please share your testimonies below! I’d love to know how God showed up for you in a supernatural way.