Before one determined visit I had asked my very best friend to pray for me because I wanted to tell my dad about Jesus. I went to the home and sat next to my father’s bed. I said, “Daddy, I want to tell you about Jesus.”

I became a Christian the summer before I went to high school. When I look back on it, I see God’s hand through the whole process. It wasn’t a “Paul on the Road to Damascus” experience; it was two faithful Christians and their witness to me about the grace of God through his Son, Jesus.

A year after my conversion a horrible tragedy happened. I was awakened out of a sound sleep when my brother, Jimmy, opened the bedroom door at midnight and said, “Miriam, Daddy has been in an accident and I’m taking Mom to the hospital.” I was stunned and could only say a soft, “Okay.” I waited for Mom and Jimmy to get home and let me know about my daddy.

The news was horrible. My dad was on Navy duty in Jacksonville, Florida and flew home on a military plane to Key West where he hitched a ride to Miami with some sailors. The car with Daddy and the three sailors was heading north on Krome Avenue; it was pitch black on that road. The driver lost control on a curve. The car hit a soft shoulder and flipped over. My father was thrown from the car and hit his head. The photograph of the accident was brutal. His bloody Naval Commander’s hat was in the dirt by the battered car. His brain was injured which caused paralysis on the left side of his body. His speech was slow and his memory was gone. He didn’t know our names. He didn’t know us!

I was sixteen years old and a junior in high school. Our family changed on that tragic evening. A giant piece of us was broken off, the piece that made us laugh, protected us, gave us stability, gave us a sense of belonging, of wholeness. That night I lost the father I knew.

Six years later my father’s condition was the same. He was still paralyzed and couldn’t talk well or remember who I was. He was in a nursing home. It was always hard visiting him there.

Before one determined visit I had asked my very best friend to pray for me because I wanted to tell my dad about Jesus. I went to the home and sat next to my father’s bed. I said, “Daddy, I want to tell you about Jesus.”

He was looking at me and I continued, “Daddy, the Bible says in John 3:16, “For God so loved…” before I could finish the verse, my father, who since his accident could not talk in full sentences or have thoughts that made any sense, immediately said, “…the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him will never perish but have eternal life.”

If my mouth didn’t actually drop open, it should have! My Father’s damaged brain knew what I was saying and KNEW the gospel verse, John 3:16. I was in awe of what my Heavenly Father had done that day. He sent me to visit my dad. He had me ask my best friend to pray about the visit. God had me say John 3:16 and then my Heavenly Father opened my earthly father’s brain and mouth to give me the “hope of his salvation.”

My father died not too long after that visit. I am now confident that I will see him again and he will know my name.

And we know that all thing work together for good to those who love God,
to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Miriam Gautier is a member of Springs Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Dunnellon, Fla.