Terri Gillespie, author of the first Messianic women’s interactive devotional, Making Eye Contact with God. She is also a speaker with a vision to touch women’s hearts with God’s love and healing—liberally sprinkled with laughter. In her spare time she serves as the Director of Development Operations for the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America. Her other writing credits include contributions to several devotional publications, magazines and books. She oversees a local writers’ group. Terri and her husband Bob live in Pennsylvania. They have one daughter, Rebekah. www.terrigillespie.com





What is the subject of your book?

Making Eye Contact with God is an interactive women’s devotional. It’s an invitation to women to go to that place of intimacy with the Lord. Think of a bride and groom looking at each other as they say their vows.

The devotional is designed for the busy woman and is also effective for group study and mentoring/discipleship programs.

What was your motivation behind this project?  

A number of years ago a sparrow trapped itself inside our window. He frantically threw his tiny body against the glass to escape. I unlocked the sash and lifted it a few inches. The sparrow became so agitated I was afraid the little guy would have a heart attack. What if he flew into the house? I’d have a bigger problem on my hands. How could I safely remove him? I began speaking in soothing tones as I attempted to guide him into my hand. It wasn’t working. My words of comfort switched to prayers. Impulsively, I grabbed the sparrow by the tail feathers. With my other hand I formed a cell for the frightened captive. He reacted more violently than I expected. I could barely hold him with both hands, how was I going to open the doors to release him? I continued to alternately speak to him and pray. Then, through a small opening between my fingers we made eye contact. His shiny bead-like eyes and mine connected. Immediately his struggle ceased. I was able to remove one hand. He sat quietly in my palm as I opened the doors. Seconds later, he was free, and I was left in wonder. For months afterward every time I saw a sparrow I replayed the event in my head. As much as I hated to admit it, the incident seemed like a graphic picture of my relationship with God. How many times had He reached out to rescue me, but I flew away in fear or confusion? How often was He forced to grab me by the tail feathers to prevent me from getting into more trouble? How many times had He held me in His hand only to have me fight Him thinking I was trapped? How much easier it would have been had I turned my eyes toward the Lord—to make eye contact with Him.

What is the takeaway message and why was getting that point across so important to you?

At a high level the primary message is God’s redeeming love and longing.

He longs for us. The Creator of the Universe wants us. As a groom longs for his bride-to-be.

Until recently, I never understood that. Soaking in this miraculous revelation puts my world and craziness into perspective.

Women get what it means to be a bride. We also have unique issues we struggle with. The first half of the book deals with reasons we might struggle with eye contact—insecurities, guilt, unforgiveness, busy-ness—the harmful material woven into the fabric of our lives. The rest of the book gives a perspective of God’s desires for intimacy—how He longs for us to soak in His presence. He also loves to surprise us, dance with us and “fly” with us. How amazing is that?