It was a
moment you might find in works of fiction but could never orchestrate in real
life. It was as if God wanted to add an exclamation point to the end of the
story. If you haven’t been able to follow our ten-month journey of rebuilding
our high ropes course after it was destroyed by lightning last summer, let me
just say that God’s fingerprints have been evident throughout the process,
concluding with the ribbon cutting on the new Upward Tower last month. That’s
where the exclamation point came in.
At the
beginning of May, we were on schedule to have the new tower ready in time for
summer camp. As I began to think about a ribbon-cutting ceremony, I thought how
wonderful it would be if our primary benefactors for the project, Gary and
Vesta Edmonds, could be here for the occasion. It was very unlikely because the
Edmonds spend most of their time traveling all over the country. Around mid-May
however, they contacted me about coming for a visit at the end of the month. It
seemed too much to hope that the tower would be completed by then, but I was at
least excited that they would see the project progressing.
Amazingly,
God gave us great favor and amplified productivity so that it was finished the
very week that the Edmonds arrived! We arranged for a ribbon cutting ceremony
at the end of the week. Representatives from the businesses, churches, staff
and campers gathered for the occasion. We presented a plaque to the Edmonds,
gave them the honor of cutting the ribbon, and prayed a prayer of dedication.

Climbers of all ages then took to the tower, scrambling up the various routes
and riding the zip lines to the ground. Finally, the Edmonds, who are both in
their 60’s, decided to give it a try. Just as they reached the top, distant
thunder began to roll, so I announced that these would be our last two
climbers. As I hooked them up to the side-by-side zip lines, I reflected on how
God had worked in such a special way to allow these two precious people to be
here for this day. Then, as they rode the zip lines together, bringing the perfect
conclusion to the day, I looked up at heaven smiling and said, “Ok, God. Now
you’re just showing off!”
God
works in miraculous ways all the time, and sometimes he adds that exclamation
point just to make sure we know that it’s He who is at work bringing everything
about. I pray that you see His fingerprints in your own life as well.