Fingerprint

I moved to Colorado with my kids in the summer of 2017. We were looking for a fresh start and a new perspective. My focus at the time was on my kids and to be frank, just surviving. I had no desire, or money, to be dating. But as usual, my plans were not quite in line with what God had planned. And as usual, I always chuckle and smile a bit at how God works in my life. As I look back at multiple seasons in my life, I can see the truth in Romans 8:28 playing out repeatedly.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was November 2017, and I had just started a new job in Security/Executive Protection at a large Christian Ministry in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I had only just learned how to do the job and was promptly tasked with teaching a new partner everything I had just learned myself. Fun, right?

Part of my job on campus was access control. During in processing, new employees would come to the security office to get their ID and security access card. It was during this in processing that I saw someone who caught my eye. I was doing my best to train my new partner, all the while distracted and thinking to myself “wow, who is this?”

My brain immediately snapped back to the task at hand, and I told myself “No, I don’t date.” In fact, my “I don’t date rule” was even more enforceable by my “I don’t date at work” rule. Which made it a whole lot easier for me to just say, no. As the days, weeks, and months progressed, I would see this girl as I was doing my normal security rounds. Each time, I would feel a flutter in my stomach and think to myself “stop it, this isn’t what you’re here for.” But each time I saw her, it was always the same feeling, wow! There was always something about her that I just couldn’t put my finger on. I was captivated by more than just her physical beauty. There was a presence. A glow. Something that was just, different.

As time went on, our paths started crossing more often. I started to have long, drawn out conversation with God about my purpose there in Colorado. Nowhere in my prayer and planning to move to Colorado did anyone, God included, say anything about dating. Especially dating someone, at work. But, as is always the case, I imagine God sitting in heaven with His cosmic controller continuing to weave together his plan. And smiling as I continued to challenge Him.

As new employees, my partner and I were instructed to attend a two-day class that would help us understand better the purpose and mission of the ministry. Since this was for new employees in general, we were not the only two in the class. It should come as no surprise that all I remember from that class was how amazingly beautiful the girl at the table in the front was.

It was day two of this class when things took a bit of a turn. I had just returned from my office with information for my partner. He and a few others were conversing with each other on a break. One of those he was conversing with, was her. I delivered the information and proceeded to integrate myself into the conversation. I don’t remember much of the conversation because I was caught up in the fact that I was conversing with this girl, and not just admiring her. At some point in the conversation, I remember she said something to the effect of “must be your beautiful blue eyes.” I don’t know what I looked like after that, but I’m guessing I had some kind of dumb look on my face. I was relieved when we were all asked to return to the classroom.

That was March of 2018. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we were the talk of the ministry. Four months later, we were united in holy matrimony and began the long, difficult and painful journey of blending our families.

Fast forward to today, January of 2025. We have endured almost 7 of what could arguably be the most difficult years of our lives. Both personally and professionally. We both would tell you that we firmly believe that our lives had been brought together by God. What we didn’t know, was just how difficult it would be and just how much it would challenge us both. But we came together, locked arms, and powered through. Ultimately proving to ourselves, that with God, all things really are possible. And because of that, we are still together and thriving. A little worse for wear, but still standing.

All these years later, I look at this girl, now my wife, and I still see what I saw back then. Something different. A WOW factor that I couldn’t put my finger on then. And I’m reminded of the day when I figured out just what it was. I was driving home from work listening to the radio. I heard a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that perfectly summed up what I was seeing. The chorus says;

“I can see the fingerprints of God, when I look at you. I can see the fingerprints of God, and I know it’s true. You’re a masterpiece that all creation quietly applauds, and you’re covered in the fingerprints of God.”

I’m not going to lie, sometimes God uses a 2x4 to get my attention and it doesn’t feel very good. This time, it was his fingerprint. And I still get Jesus bumps today just thinking about it.