A Shattered Windshield
It was Thursday again and I was off to Amatitlan to pick up the leader of our ladies prayer group.
It was a nice afternoon as usual and we picked up several ladies who would be attending as special guests.
Shortly after coming on to the highway for the return trip, a big dump truck passed us in the next lane going our same direction.
As he passed I was starteled to see my windshield breakup into tiny shattered pieces. The largest was about the size of a 25 cent piece.
I was shaken to say the least. I still had a good thirty mile trip back to my home and the car was full. The leader of our prayer group had limited use of her legs and walked with a cane, moving very slowly. She was seated in the front passengers seat. I couldn't move here to a safer place because those sitting in the back had others sitting on their laps. There was no room for shifting around.
My first concern was to locate an area large enough for me to see the road. There seemed to be only one and I focused on that.
My second concern was that the windshield would fall in and do damage to the lady sitting there. I kept thinking that if it came down it could cause harm to her eyes.
I drove as slow as I possibly could and still keep up, somewhat at least, with the traffic.
The entire trip I was earnestly praying in tongues that the windshield would hold at least until we arrived home.
It was one of the longest trips I have ever made. The road seemed unending. As I turned off of the highway towards our neighborhood, the road was rough and full of pot holes. I just barely inched along at this point.
So slowly, so careful we continued on. I was so happy with each mile that passed. I was that much closer to the safety of our own garage.
Needless to say, no one was speaking. Not only was it the slowest trip but it was also the quietest. I am sure every lady in that car was too nervous to do anything but pray. You couldn't hear a breath being taken the entire time.
Finally I turned onto the main road leading to our home. You could feel the relief as I stopped in front of the house so the ladies could leave the car.
Once they were all safely out, I continued on to the garage where the maid was waiting with the door already open.
I gave a deep sigh of relief as I gently closed the door to the car and headed towards the group of ladies already seated in the main living room.
Everyone was speaking at once, as each, in excited voices began to tell of our adventure.
Suddenly the room became completely still as we heard the crashing of the glass of the windshield as it fell inside the seat of the car.
Incredibly it had held all that time, but once it was quiet in the garage, it had settled and fallen out completely.
Needless to say, I needed to locate another car for the trip back. One of my neighbors was kind enough to loan me hers and the trip back was uneventful.
I know that all through that long drive with the windshield in splinters an angel of the Lord had been commissioned from the throne of glory to hold us and it in his mighty hand.
It would have been impossible to drive if it had fallen out on the way. The next day we took it to the garage to have it replaced and all the way there little pieces of glass were flying in my face.
For many, many months afterward there was a constant sound of shattered glass in the instrument panel of the dash board.
I hadn't known it at the time but found out later that the cause was the heat of the exhaust from truck that passed us. It blew across the windshield causing it to melt and crumble.
My heart is full of gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ for the many times He has protected me and brought me through troubled waters. He is always faithful and always present in every situation, and under His wings we can safely abide.
"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety. He is my God, I am trusting in Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with His wings, He will shelter you with His feathers. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Do not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday, though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you, but you will see it with your eyes .... if you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling, For He orders His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes, you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says ' I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give then my salvation.' " Psalm 91 (from the paraphrased bible" the book.")
