God’s Perfect Timing
The Story Behind the EdenRidge Sundial
Written by: Shari Martin
Photo Credit: Oliver Dossmann
One of the highlights of EdenRidge is sitting out on the deck of the Welcome Center and watching the sunset across the Cumberland Plateau. As the sun slowly sets below the horizon, it’s a reminder of God’s perfect timing each and every day.
Recently, that reminder of God’s perfect timing came to EdenRidge in the form of a sundial. The idea came from the facilities manager, Jeff Rolison.
When Oliver, President of EdenRidge, heard Jeff’s idea for a sundial, he thought, “That’s a great idea! The circular design seemed like a natural fit because our Bricks Plaza is also circular and the two complement each other beautifully.”
Oliver and Jeff
The Bricks Plaza at World Missions Park
When it came time to order the sundial, Oliver discovered it could be customized with special engraving. "That's when we decided to include the exact coordinates of the property, the elevation, and the exact date the land was purchased.”
EdenRidge has always been a story of God’s perfect timing. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, "He has made everything beautiful in His time." For the team at EdenRidge, the sundial means much more than just a way to mark the hours of the day. Oliver added, “The details engraved on the sundial permanently connect it to the exact place and moment when EdenRidge moved from a dream to a reality.”
Many years had passed since the property was purchased, so Oliver had to look back through the deed records to locate the exact date and time. Oliver recalled, “I wanted to make sure that every detail was accurate and reflected the actual moment when the journey officially began.
“To me, the details of the sundial represent a major milestone. The idea of a retreat center for missionaries had existed for years, but purchasing the property transformed it from a distant dream into something tangible. That decision set the trajectory for everything EdenRidge would eventually become.”
The story of how God provided for the property and how He faithfully guided EdenRidge through every season is amazing. In the beginning, when the idea for EdenRidge first came, some thought that the vision was too ambitious. Yet God continued to open doors and provide exactly what was needed.
“I think about God's faithfulness and the countless people He has brought alongside us over the years,” Oliver recalls. “Every cabin, every trail, every improvement represents the prayers, generosity, hard work, and encouragement of people who believed in the vision.”
Looking back, there were times when the EdenRidge team wished things would have moved a bit faster. But they realized the slower pace became part of the lesson God was teaching.
“When we started, I honestly had no idea what we were getting into,” Oliver said. “The process felt slow and often consisted of taking one small step at a time. Yet through that journey, I learned that God's timing is usually revealed through faithful obedience rather than giant leaps forward.”
In the Bible, monuments and memorials were constructed as physical reminders of God’s faithfulness and His miracles. Joshua 4:1-7 tells us that after the Israelites crossed the Jordan river, God commanded Joshua to erect twelve stones. When future generations asked what the stones meant, they would hear the story of God’s provision.
For EdenRidge, the sundial is a reminder of God’s faithfulness and a way to preserve the story about how EdenRidge began. When future guests ask about the engravings, they will have an opportunity to hear how God provided for the property and brought the vision to life. The sundial also reminds them that dreams often take time and that God's plans unfold one day at a time.
If the sundial could tell the story of EdenRidge, it would say that God is faithful, and His timing is always perfect.
Was your stay meaningful? We'd love to hear how God used your time at EdenRidge.
Email us at rest@edenridge.org and we'll schedule a short conversation with you.