The things we'll never know...

Angels.

Some appear with the faintest rustle of wings...the barest fluttering of wind as an invisible motion teases tendrils of your hair, the smallest beacon shining between tree branches in the twilight while golden shadows dance past the moon.

Others appear in the shrieking of metal as celestial arms of steel haul back on your car bumper.

The things we'll never know...

This morning it was raining - steadily, since before I woke up. I was already dreading the drama of getting me and Audrey and all our stuff in my car to take her to my mom's house for the day. It's hard enough juggling my purse, my lunch box, my jacket, her diaper bag, and her in her carseat without the hassle of rain - and no porch roof or quick way of walking to the carport since our muddy yard seeps over the concrete stepping stones if the skies even CONSIDER raining.

But, I'm a Mom, a.k.a. Superhero, so we'd figure it out, right? =) Thankfully Super Dad brought my umbrella in from the car earlier so we'd at least have a shot at staying dry.

Against all odds, I somehow got me, Audrey and all Our Stuff loaded in the car on time as usual and only slightly damp. We hit the road, windshield wipers on full speed, and crunched down the gravel road. Turned onto our fun windy, twisty, wet country highway, and made our way toward town. An 18 wheeler was coming toward me in the opposite lane, so I scooted over a tad to give the monster some room. They never slow down on these country roads, even in the rain! Hooligans.

The 18 wheeler passes and from out of NOWHERE, a burgundy Buick pulls out of a driveway in front of me. It was like I was simply invisible, or maybe they never thought to check both ways after the 18 wheeler monster passed. Regardless, I'm going 45-50 mph. as is the speed limit, and she is suddenly in front of me. The old woman doesn't even pull out in front of me and lay on the gas pedal, nooooo - she pulls out in front of me and just sort of hovers. Like a bad perfume.

I SLAMMED on the brakes. A no-no in wet weather, I know - but seriously, what else could I do? I've been in a 3-car, double rear-ending accident several years ago and had no desire to be an accordian ever again. I sucked in my breath and debated whether it'd be better to hit the Buick or go off into the ditch on the side of the road, all while fishtailing across my lane. Not good options but in that literal split second of decision time, I opted against the ditch. Too steep and muddy, we'd never get my car out, plus the impact might be worse at such an angle.

I wanted to close my eyes, but didn't. I knew we wouldn't stop in time, the Buick was barely moving and I'd had zero time to react anyway. We were going to nail her.

But we didn't.

There was no hard jerking motion of being pulled away, no sudden stop, no pressure or impact or anything to indicate someone or Something tugging us back from danger. But I know it happened. There is simply no reasonable, logical, earthly explanation for why we didn't slam into that Buick.

But I happen to believe in things that aren't always reasonable, logical or earthly. =)

Grandma in the Buick (seriously, she must have been 100 years old and DEFINITELY should not be allowed to drive) puttered on down the road after that at 29 miles per hour (15 under the speed limit) oblivious to what almost happened and somehow oblivious to me laying on the horn for the next quarter mile as I struggled to stop shaking and breathe again.

No angel wings in the dust on my bumper. No celestial fingerprints.

But...

"...faith is being...certain of what we do not see." Hebrew 11:1