Several years ago, on a quiet Monday morning, I received an ominous phone call: “Rev. 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.
As my heart pounded my voice remained surprisingly calm: “Thank you for letting me know.”
Like any reasonable parent with a sixteen-year-old son, I responded by panicking! My car nearly did a wheelie as I spun out of the driveway and flew down the highway toward the high school.
“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. “I’ll 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 screeching into the parking lot, I noticed the car that could only be my child’s. After running into the office and checking with the secretary, I was assured my son was safely inside the classroom.
“Whew! I can breathe again!”
Have you heard the country song: “Sometimes you’re the windshield; sometimes the bug?” I’m beginning to understand what that 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, nothing happened but what about next time? I always try to remain a “windshield,” but I know there will be those “bug” moments. I may even get squashed!
Jesus told a story of 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. “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. The secret was the foundation. The rains still came down the storms still rose and the winds still blew and beat against the house but… but the house with the foundation made of rock did not fall.
God never promised a storm-free, bug-free life. However, God will provide a solid foundation to weather the rain and the wind, to shield you in the midst of “windshield” or “bug” moments. God provides what yu need so your house doesn’t fall and your “windshield” never breaks.
Windshield or bug? You seldom control. Rock or sand? Choose wisely and you have the solid foundation you need.
