Windshield Rainbows?

Just the other day, a friend asked so what's the deal w/ the title --Windshield Rainbows--?? and I thought...good question..although i had no prize for her asking except a hug of thanks for being interested :) but it got me thinkin that it really does mean something to me and definitely worth sharing..


Back in the 90's (so long time ago..) I was in grad school, living with friends, enjoying single life and really enjoying school as well..and with in a matter of a couple of months my car (Gracie was her name--ride on sweet ride!) had been through a couple of doozies.



1st doozie..my first wreck..simply I was turning right and the next thing I know I am looking into the front seat of a couple where in slomo someone is shouting things really fast..i say shout because of the wrinkles on her face while showing exaggerated movements with her hands..



2nd doozie..the most horrific hail storm pounded FTW..no exaggerating here..about softball size hail hurled from the skies. i was skeered!! And since i was living in an apt. with no covered parking...you get the picture. but thankfully Gracie survived with a couple of dents and the beautifully cracked windshield. Kinda like a shimmery spider landed on the glass. There was the spot where the hail hit (thankfully didn't go all the way through) and the legs of the spider stretched from all sides of that one place.



Though I was distraught about the crunched cracked disposition of my car, being in school and needing to come up with payment for a new semester, I wasn't rushing to get it fixed.



I had a dear friend ask about how I was feeling about my cars "new" condition. I thought for a moment and really was sincere in the fact that when the sun shined on the cracks in my windshield it created beautiful rainbows all over my dashboard. It really was a pretty sight. Like shiny jewels sprinkled about.. It brought me comfort and cheer in a wierd kinda way and I truly felt it was whimsy beauty..little smiles from God dancing in front of me when I drove around.



Weeks later I was to go to a conference some dear friends had invited me to before any of these events took place. I knew I couldn't back out, but before I left I distinctly remember laying my bill for school and my estimations for my windshield and car to be repaired on the bed. I was really not sure how any of this would be paid for, but in my heart knew God was assuring my heart to leave those burdens there...and I did..



i went to the conference in Bransen, MO--didn't realize what a happening place that was :) The conference was led by a dynamic inspirational speaker by the name of Mamie McCollough. What an encourgaemnt her message was throughout the weekend. It was definitely what my heart needed :)



During the last session of the conference, Mrs McCollough began talking about how we can help others by seeing the world beyond ourselves. As, I sat agreeing with that selfless way of seeing the world around me, before I knew it, she began talking about this gal who decided to follow God to seminary and is studying there....then in the blurr my name is called and people are turning around looking at me..then I believe I looked around for another me...and Mrs. McCollough invited me to come up and stand next to her...**GULP**..uh..ok..definitely a moment where I see myself walk up on the stage..and honestly everything runs together in the next few moments..Mrs. McCullough told the ladies in the audience this was a day for them to be a blessing...she joked that they probrably have some loose change they could gather for me and be a part of God's work through me---"let's pray", she said. As we prayed I prayed that I would be a gracious receiver of whatever was going to happen and I think I even peeked up to see if with my own eyes I could see the Holy Spirit in action...Amen!



In moments, all i remember is hands craming my hands with bills. One lady gave me a little purse to start putting all the change into. Happy ladies with tears and joy just showering me with blessings. It was the true picture of a "cheerful giver". My cheeks were hurting from smiling and my mouth completely emptied of any words..I had nothing to say and in my heart so full..I knew that was ok.



The conference room emptied of all the euphoric chatter and i was still...speechless.. Then this sweet little lady giggled and said, "Let's go count your money!"



We sat in a room with the sun shinning in and added it all up..

insert --GULP!--

The lady handed the reciept note to me and said here is your $1,012



uh-uh-uh----yep! is all I could scrounge in my depths to say..

The lady gave me hug and said be blessed!



Where do you go from there..I am still amazed..



I got home and the money covered exactly my debts to have the car fixed and pay for my next semester of school..I remember calling my mom and dad to share this amazing miracle. They were both thrilled and I remember it was one of the few times my dad got teary eyed and said, "God takes care of you!"...which that promise still rings through my heart today..



So there you have the short and LONG of what has come of Windshield Rainbows.



It's kinda the way I see life, I suppose. I always look for the sparkle in things and the best part (and sometimes most painful) is the more cracks there are...the sparklier things can be..

Be blessed my friend...be blessed!