Yesterday I shared the story of our friend Adam Dominik coming into some well deserved notoriety for his expert handling of a Lake Michigan emergency. Thanks to him and a cross country skier, a man and his dog were saved from certain death.

Our family lived next door to Adam’s family for 20 years, and all of us were fast friends during that time. As a little boy he was darling, with a mop of curly auburn hair and a quiet disposition, wisely cautious and keenly observant. We always knew he would amount to something special.

For example, how many neighborhood boys would willingly cut the grass for us, volunteer to shovel our snow, and always ask if there was any way he could help?

He was a tribute to his parents, who raised him with integrity and helped him develop character traits that would serve him the rest of his life.

As a youth he met Jesus Christ and surrendered his life to him. His valiant rescue a week ago, against all odds, wasn’t just a fluke, because God saw to it he was fully prepared for that chaotic scene. That night, while being interviewed he said, “I believe in God, and I believe he guided my steps here tonight…” The Sun Times mentioned his “devout Christianity,” and though Ad is reserved by nature, he didn’t hesitate to let the world know of his relationship with the Lord.

Although reporters did a good job with the story, they missed crediting the string of unusual circumstances to God. I believe he was the One who personally pulled together the pieces of that unlikely rescue, starting with Ad’s character development that caused him to attempt what seemed impossible. And here’s what else God did:

• He caused Adam to go jogging in that area for the very first time that night.
• He timed Ad’s departure from his apartment so he would run past the crisis area at the crucial moment.
• Though there were only 2 people nearby, he opened their ears to hear the man’s cries.
• Weeks earlier he made sure a hunk of strong rope was tied to a sign near the icy accident so it would be quickly available to Ad.
• He measured the rope ahead of time to be sure it was long enough to do the job.
• He prompted Ad to practice his Figure 8 knot that very morning, so it was fresh in his mind.
• He heard and answered Ad’s quick prayer for the supernatural strength to pull up the large, wet dog and a 200 pound man while standing on iced-over concrete.

The story had a happy ending with both the man and his dog surviving, and it was no coincidence that it all happened on the man’s 40^th birthday. I just hope he, too, recognizes that God was there.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” (Isaiah 43:1-2)