penned 4.22.2019, revised March 3, 2025

My twin sister had inscribed “Easter” on a stone two years before her death at sunrise Easter morning 1996. With the church’s permission, I laid the palm-sized stone at the foot of the outside cross for our Easter sunrise service this year, my first experience ever. 

It was very dark at 5:40 a.m., so I quickly placed the stone, as I had hoped before helping others set up chairs and prepare to receive other worshipers.

The service was an excellent lesson, praise, and worship—even in the face of the brutally cold 56-degree weather! Many were shivering, but the message of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection warmed us up in our hearts. The sunrise was perfect! 

After the service, I went to retrieve the stone and met a lovely family standing very nearby, looking at (what I came to realize) was a memorial bench for their loved one. I introduced myself, expressed my condolences, and gave them all a hug. THEN I saw the name on the memorial bench.

Their loved one’s name was “Brenda,” the very same name as was given my twin sister. We all agreed our “Brendas” were smiling from God’s Kingdom and probably just met each other that morning in paradise.

What are the chances? Two families, two stones, two Brendas by name meeting early on Easter morning? God is not a coincidence! HE LIVES through Jesus Christ who loves all of us deeply.

If you haven’t prayed near a cross lately or touched  a cross while you pray, I highly recommend it. It’s soothing, it pleases God, and it reminds us of the very reason why we are here.

Romans 8:28 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁸And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the Lord your God.

And I say to you, Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.

Bonnie Zickgraf is a retired pastor, author, a columnist for The Times and an RN in mental health nursing. Send comments and prayer requests to [email protected].