Today is Wednesday, April 13th, 2005; Karen's Korner #523
Our daughter, Jamie, and grandson, Luke, were coming to spend the night with us last night. She said they should be there some time near noon. I had a regular six-month exam dental appointment yesterday morning, getting me out of the dentist office just a few minutes before noon.
I was hurrying out of town on a county road black top, south from Clarion. Passed a residential section and the hospital which is a 25 miles per hour speed zone. Heading into a 35 miles per hour speed zone, to a 45 mph area, and finally to a 55 miles per hour roadway and the wide open spaces.
I met a police officer in the 25 mile hour zone and I was driving faster. I looked back into my review mirror. He turned around and turned on his lights!
I pulled over. As he walked up to the car, I began to roll down my window.
He informed me that I was driving about 20 miles over the limit in the slower limit area.
I offered no apologies because I knew it was true.
"Can I see your driver's license and your insurance papers?" he asked.
I obliged and gave them both to me. Luckily, I had fastened my seat belt!
He walked back to his vehicle.
I thought, "Now I am later than ever! Later than I want to be! I wonder what the fine will be? Goody, I get my name in the paper! Does my insurance rate go up?"
A few minutes later, the law enforcement officer returned to my vehicle, handing back my two driver pieces and these words, "I am not going to give you a ticket this time. You travel this road often. Think about your speed in here," he said.
Good news!!
Most of the time I drive the speed limit. Most of the time I put on my seat belt. But yesterday, I was guilty of violating the speed limit and I knew it! I don't know why law enforcement officers don't give out tickets every time, but sometimes they let offenders off the hook.........and yesterday, I was one of them!!
As I drove away, I thought about our sermon on Sunday and our minister talking about grace (not getting what we deserve) and mercy (getting what we don't deserve). And how God gives us both all of the time!
Like my speeding offense, the officer gave me his grace by not giving me what I deserved (a ticket and a fine) and mercy (another chance to do better).........God does the same for me and for all of his children all the time!
I deserve to be punished for my sins (what I do that I shouldn't) and for my lack of things He wants me to do, that I don't bother doing.
Lucky me, lucky you! As Christian people, we drive on with a clean record........filled with His grace and His mercy!! And a bigger dose of appreciation for His love and His care!!
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