It started with a prayer request asking for direction.

In October of 2015, Forest Lake resident Bonnie Vidlund took a trip to San Francisco.

“I was away from the distractions [of home],” said Vidlund, “and God opened my heart to people on the streets.”

Vidlund bought a coffee and muffin for a person experiencing homelessness and then saw another man as she stepped out of the shop.

“I saw the man and thought, ‘Lord, he’s cold and needs a blanket,’” said Vidlund.

She knew that this is what she was called to do. She believed that God wanted her to “make a blanket and put my word on it, then give it to others so they know how much I love them.”

Because of her job, she had access to order blanket. But she wasn’t sure what to put on it. She called her friend, Pam, to help her discernment process.

“Pam immediately said that she was stuck on Psalm 91 and couldn’t move off of it,” said Vidlund.

When Vidlund opened her Bible, it was as if the words raised off the page.

Part of that scripture includes the verse “He will cover you with His feathers and under His wings you will find refuge.”

“It sounds strange and I don’t want people to think I’m some weirdo, but that’s how it happened!” said Vidlund. Upon further meditation, she knew that an eagle belonged on the blanket with the verse. The ministry of Covered with Christ was born.  

She started making blankets and visited unsheltered neighbors in the Twin Cities. During an outreach event, the organizer told her “Bonnie, we’ve been praying for this.”

The doors opened from there. She started making thousands of blankets through fundraising and having materials delivered to her home. Over 11,000 blankets have been distributed since 2016 throughout the state and across the country.

The blankets all contain the same verse and image. It’s the size of a full bed. She also had the blanket translated into Spanish and it’s on a twin size.

Pastor Tomas Walek has seen the effect the blankets have on those receiving, but also those who give them out. “[The] blankets are being distributed to people that the Holy Spirit directs us to give them to,” said Walek. “They are received with great joy and thanksgiving.”

Her current prayer is asking God where the blankets need to go next. She continues to sense a strong calling to serve the Forest Lake community.

“I was awarded a grant to pay for some blankets from the Forest Lake Lions Club,” said Vidlund. “I’m so grateful for their financial support towards people who are hurting in our community.”

Vidlund acknowledges that her faith and prayer life have grown since taking this on. “I lean on God for my next steps in life.”

That included answering the call in the first place.

When she first approached her husband, Bob, she wasn’t sure what he’d think. “I told him that I’m not gonna make any money,” she said. “I just wanna serve God.”

His response was, “What took you so long?”

“I love to pray when giving out the blanket,” said Vidlund, who mentioned that she only prays if the recipient is receptive to it. “The blanket is a prayer.”

It’s an answer to prayer. In more ways than one.

If you want more information on supporting this ministry, visit https://www.coveredwithchrist.org.

Pastor John Klawiter is the senior pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Forest Lake. For more information, email him at  . This article will appear in the Forest Lake Times, May 30, 2024.