Direct Gift from God in Noblesville, Indiana!
(revised Feb. 24, 2025; from July 31, 2019)
I visited Noblesville, Indiana, today (July 31, 2019) in anticipation of closing on a home to complete the move north from Florida.
I had already purchased a large backlit cross to hang on the wall, but I also wanted to get a new Bible for this new (old) home. So, I visited a Christian bookstore with my granddaughter, Bridget.
When we arrived, I asked for a large print NLT (New Living Translation) Bible. The sales lady told us she thought she had one more copy left! As we walked toward the back of the store, it felt like we were in a Harry Potter movie, going through a mysterious library with all the different books and cobwebs hanging from the dusty shelves. (In reality, the store was very clean and modern! It just felt “mysterious.”)
She handed me the copy of the Bible and I removed it from the box. The Bible opened immediately to the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. This is my most favorite chapter in the whole Bible! I explained it as an unbelievable, divine sign. As tears streamed down my face, I told the lady, of course, I would buy it. That Bible was meant for me! And it was a direct gift from God!
For those who may not be familiar with it, John 17 is a direct prayer from Jesus for you and for me. This whole chapter is denoted in red letters as spoken by the Lord himself, but it is only 26 verses long. We’ll focus on only one today.
In verse 20, Jesus prays, “I am praying not only for these disciples (the Lord’s original disciples) but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”
How does this not melt your heart? God prayed for YOU thousands of years ago long before you were born! I believe Jesus still prays to Father in Heaven for His disciples to this day. Think of that! AND it gets better!
While at the store, I also purchased a teenage version of “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young for my granddaughter. As we went to check out, I asked the sales lady what her name was, to which she replied, “Brenda.”
I took a step back. “Brenda” was my departed twin sister’s name! She passed away at sunrise on Easter morning in 1996. Now THAT took my breath away, and I dropped my jaw for a few more seconds! This was truth and reality, not fiction, right here in Noblesville, Indiana!
Later, I paused, reflecting on God’s awesomeness, and I wrote this prayer.
(You can pray it, too)
Lord, you are so very good, so very kind. You continue to communicate with me every day. I’m so blessed that you’re beside me every step. Please know, Lord, that I am here for You; to be Your vessel, to let Your light shine through me so others may come to see and know of Your love. Your miraculous, unbelievably true, and pure, unfailing love. Amen.
(Keep praying for us, too, Lord. You know how badly we all need prayer!)
Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, author, and columnist for The Times, and an RN. Send comments and prayer requests to [email protected].