Our family recently traveled to Raven Rock State Park near the lovely town of Lillington, NC. We had a great time hiking, biking, and enjoying the air-conditioned hut we called home for a few nights the week after Easter. The weather was incredible for hiking, so we did a few miles each day.
On our last day, we hiked down to Raven Rock, a 150-foot-tall rock structure set alongside the Cape Fear River. It sits on the fall line, the place where the Coastal Plain and the Piedmont “shake hands”. Like many of our state parks, it is a gift that we do not take advantage of as often as we would like. I often come away from our time in the parks, thankful for the surprises and memories. Even when you have to climb down the 150 steps to get to the river, the view is always worth the effort.
We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch next to the river. The pine trees were tall and plentiful, so the shade was a nice break from the sun. As we finished lunch and stood up to climb back to the top of the rock, we heard a low rumble coming up the river. At first, we thought it sounded like a boat which would be strange for that part of the river. As the noise came closer, it became clear it was a helicopter rotor.
I yelled for everybody to find an opening in the trees so that we could see the river. The noise grew deafening. As I was able to grab my phone and start videoing, an Army Apache helicopter roared by us not 50 feet off the water. The pilot flew through the one opening I found in the trees. My mouth hit the proverbial ground. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. We all just stared, until I broke the silence and asked the most obvious question in the loudest voice possible, “did you just see that?”
I immediately thought about the hike we had previous to the encounter with the helicopter. We had choices of which trail to take or how long to rest before moving on. Every step along the way got us to the point of being able be in the right place and time to have the encounter with the helicopter. As we travel this summer or engage with family, friends, and neighbors, I wonder if you will see the opportunities around to shine the light of Christ in your part of the world. You may think that it is the wrong time or you are not the right person. I am praying that we will all see the opportunities around us as God-ordained moments to live out the truth of Easter. We may be surprised with God’s timing and what unexpected joys He brings our way.