This story is about how God often takes His time in providing insight into the events of our lives. In this case, it has been approximately 30 years.
As I was driving along a highway in Orlando, I found myself reflecting on a specific night from long ago. My son was about five years old at the time. He had received a new Flexible Flyer sled for Christmas, but I had been too busy with night school and my career to take him sled riding. It was late February, and by this point, my wife was growing increasingly impatient with my lengthy list of excuses for not spending time with our son. So, I did what most young husbands do when faced with such decisions: I devised a quick plan to set things right.
Our home was in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a charming village located east of Cleveland. Not far from our house was Punderson State Park, which featured a large pavilion situated at the top of a long hill. The State Recreation Department opened the park during the winter, where the pavilion offered hot chocolate and a cozy fire indoors. The hill was equipped with a powered tow rope that pulled sledders back up after their exhilarating rides down the hill. To accommodate my busy schedule, the hill was also lit for sledding in the evening. This was the perfect plan. In one night, I could create a wonderful experience for my son and make up for the time we’d missed together. Additionally, I could save my weekend for other household projects.
One evening during the week, my son and I headed to Punderson State Park with our sled. When we arrived, we were surprised to see that the park was almost empty, as if it had been opened just for us. After parking, we pulled the sled to the top of the hill. I settled my son between my legs, excited for his first sled ride.
However, I forgot the most essential rule of sledding: never start down a hill without first checking the entire slope. As I pushed off, I quickly realized the significance of this rule. The reason the park was so empty that evening became clear: the cold weather, heavy traffic from the previous weekend, and a layer of freezing rain had turned the hill into a quarter-mile ice rink that sloped steeply downward. In mere seconds, we found ourselves out of control, speeding down the hill.
My feet quickly bounced off the sled’s handles, so I could no longer steer. Not that it would have mattered, we were out of control. It didn’t take long for panic to set in. At the speeds we were going, my small son was about to get hurt. My thoughts quickly went into survival mode. I leaned back, gathering my son in my arms. Thoughts went to protecting him from the inevitable harm about to befall us. It was the longest sled ride of my life. Constantly on the verge of crashing, fearful for my son’s well-being. We flew through the air, bounced from mogul to mogul, and through the grace of God, we reached the bottom of that hill, still on the sled.
In that moment, I had a rare chance to think about God, something I hadn’t prioritized in those busy years focused on my ambitions. It beautifully reminded me how fear can often bring us closer to our Creator. Just moments after we came to a stop, my son erupted in joyful laughter, utterly unfazed by the thrill. In fact, I realized I had provided him with an unforgettable first sled ride! His joy filled the air, and it warmed my heart to know I created a cherished memory for us both. What a wonderful experience to share together!
Only one other sled rider went down the hill after my son and me. This young boy suffered a shattered collarbone and was rushed to the emergency room. My son and I returned to the pavilion to enjoy our hot chocolate and the warmth of a wood fire. While this would make for a nice story on its own, the true significance of God’s message didn’t become clear to me until 30 years later. As I reflected on that evening’s experience back on Orlando Street, God revealed the final chapter to me.
My life has often felt like that sled ride at Punderson State Park—frequently out of control and filled with moments of panic, wondering if I would make it through safely. On that day long ago, my son realized that he was wrapped in his father’s arms. He trusted me entirely, and because of that, he had the best ride of his life. There was no fear, no panic—just pure faith in me as his father. Isn’t that what God is trying to convey to me? I, too, am embraced in my Father’s arms. I have the choice to trust Him, to place my faith in Him, and to understand that He loves me and would do anything for me. God is encouraging me to lean back and let Him turn my life into that “best ride.”