A few Friday mornings ago, I was rushing around getting ready to leave the house earlier than usual. I was testing students in Shreveport at 8AM, and I did not want to get caught in North Bossier traffic. My phone is almost always on silent - so when I picked up it to head out the door, I saw two missed calls from Nate.
Nate had left for school earlier than normal also. He had a 7 AM meeting so I thought something might be wrong as he had already called twice.
I quickly called him back. He explained that something medal flew up and hit his windshield near 2-20 and Viking Drive. The object shattered the windshield terribly (according to him) so he pulled over at Chevron to call me. (Of course I didn’t answer - my phone was on silent) He called his dad and explained the problem. They decided for him to continue to school since he was only about a minute away.
I could tell he was shaken up a little. I couldn’t decide if it was because he was worried about the busted windshield or because he was truly frightened.
I remember praying, “Hello Lord, I’m administering a pretty important test today. I can’t be late! I don’t have time to deal with this! This inconvenience does not fit into my jam-packed schedule today!”
Immediately, I was convicted. Shouldn’t I be grateful that Nate wasn’t injured and that he was not involved in a wreck?
I stopped and thanked the Lord that Nate was safe, and the shattered windshield was just a small “hiccup” in my very busy Friday.
I stopped and thanked the Lord that Nate was safe, and the shattered windshield was just a small “hiccup” in my very busy Friday.
After testing was over, I called my friends at Tim’s Paint and Collision to see if I could get a new windshield on Monday. He assured me that he would handle it. (He is most helpful and very trustworthy- visit him on North Market in North Shreveport)
Of course I’m silently adding up how much this minor “hiccup” will cost me.
Of course I’m silently adding up how much this minor “hiccup” will cost me.
-New windshield
-New wipers
-New wiper blades
-New inspection sticker
All in a day’s work, right?
That night I went to the school to drive the truck home. (Nate was out of town on a school trip) When I saw the Yukon, I was stunned! “Shattered” hardly described that windshield. “Destroyed” was more like it. I was worried that we wouldn’t be able to get it home without a cave-in. The windshield was in a million pieces from the center bottom up and a spider web across the top. Upon surveying the inside, I found tiny pieces of powdered shards on the dash! The driver’s side wiper blade had apparently served as a barrier that possibly blocked the medal object from piercing the window and hitting Nate. It was Unbelievable!!!
At that moment my entire mindset changed. This “hiccup” in my day could have been so much worse. It could have changed my life forever! It certainly grabbed my attention! And taught me a lesson! Although replacing a windshield is not my idea of a “blessing”- it certainly was that day! When life throws us a curveball -- or even just a slight “hiccup”, we can find the good in it.
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for the good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."
I am so thankful that Nate was not hurt!
I am so grateful for honest people that didn’t charge me an arm and a leg for a new windshield, wipers, blades, and even more! (Tim’s Paint and Collision)
I am blessed to have had this experience so that I can slow down and recognize God’s goodness - even in the “hiccups” of life!
