The Story of the Bookmark

It was just after the turn of this century that David presented me with a prompting he had received from the Lord. Everyone in our church body was to receive a personal gift from the Lord. We wrestled with just what that would look like and finally concluded that we would give bookmarks out to each person with a scripture on the back. At least we knew for sure that the Word of God was a safe direction to go. What we didn't know was just how anointed this simple process of having people come forward and receive the bookmark would be. We decided the candlelight service would be the perfect time to receive a personal gift from the Lord. As people came forward to receive communion, each person received a bookmark, which David read as he presented it to them. 

As the scriptures were read, tears, hugs and prayers flowed from heart to heart. 

The parents of a soldier in Iran received this scripture:

“Where can I go from your presence . . . If I settle on the far side of the sea even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

To a grieving husband the year his wife died: 

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

For a dear friend losing her battle with ovarian cancer:

“In my Father's house are many rooms . . .I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

To our family, facing our daughter's divorce from a man who had returned to his worldly ways, MaryKay received this bookmark:

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him is no darkness at all.”

And to her six year old son Noah who asked if he could also have a bookmark: 

“For he has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”