“Sometimes You're the Windshield... Sometimes You're the Bug!" 

I was feeling on top of the world. There were no calls of distress and the pile of paperwork was finally beginning to shrink. Then came the shrill ring of the phone.

“Mr. Davies, this is the high school. Your son is not in school today.”

“You must be mistaken,” I said, trying to sound calm. “He left the house on time. Are you sure, he’s not there?”

“Yes sir. We have a new policy of notifying parents when students are absent or tardy. Our records show your son as absent,” replied the calm professional voice.

“Thank you for letting me know.”

Like any reasonable parent with a sixteen-year-old son, I responded immediately. I panicked!  My little car nearly did a wheelie as I spun out of the driveway and flew down the highway toward the high school. (Of course my speedometer never went past 55!)

“Has he been in an accident on the way to school?” I thought. “Oh God, please protect my son.”

“Maybe he’s skipping school with friends.” I wondered. “Oh God, I’m gonna kill him! I’ll take his car keys away and he’ll ride the bus! He’ll be grounded for a month! A year! For Life!”

While spinning into the parking lot, tire's a-smokin’, I noticed the familiar brown car that could only be my child’s. After running into the office and checking with the secretary, I was assured that it was only an administrative error and my son was safely inside the classroom.

“Whew! I can breathe again!”

Have you heard the country song: “Sometimes you’re the windshield. Sometimes you’re the bug?” I’m beginning to understand what that statement means. In the few short seconds of one phone call, the peace and tranquility of my “windshield” morning was shattered. Instead of being in control, I was a helpless “bug” hurtling down the highway with no way of knowing what tragedy would occur next.

This time, I was fortunate because nothing happened but what about next time? I may not be so fortunate. “What about you?” It’s true, you know. As much as you may try to remain a “windshield,” (pay close attention to these next words) you will occasionally be the “bug.” You may get squashed!

This is why you and I need God! Jesus told a story about two builders. The foolish one built a house on a foundation of sand. The winds and the storms came and the house collapsed. The wise builder used a foundation of rock. (Pay close attention again) “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall.” (Mat. 7:25) Both builders faced the same storms, but only one house survived. God is our foundation.

God never promised a storm-free, bug-free life. God provides a solid survival plan. 

Are you feeling like a “windshield” or a “bug?” (You can trust me here.) Occasionally, there will be both experiences. Your continued struggle to follow God in the midst of either experience will become the solid foundation of rock against the inevitable storms.

May God give you humility and love when you feel like a “windshield.” May God give you a solid foundation of peace and strength when you feel like a “bug.”