Ticket

It was a parking ticket....but did not represent an intentional disregard for "no parking" signage. I was downtown helping out for a non-profit function to be held in the evening....the parking was limited and I truly did not see the sign that was posted on the stop sign that said Buses only ...no parking. The cars of the volunteers were all lined up on this same side of the street....no one saw it. Then all of the sudden a young lady who was unloading her car and was part of the organization barged through the doors saying...hurry hurry move your cars they are giving parking tickets...everyone scampered with keys in hand...but I was too late....she had started with my car.

So there it was a neon green envelope filled with a little automated print out tucked on my windshield. $45.00...no wonder Texas is one of the states that is in good financial condition....it starts with the little fees rendered...one city at a time! Oh we fussed...the lot of us, but there was no relenting with the ticket master...this ticket would stay. Either I would pay or contest....but contest on what basis...well...the signage was weak to say the least but the arrow on the one sign was not clear...no parking which way? The arrow pointed to the right but it meant this block. So I took pictures and decided to contest it...and the process begins... you have to deal with it within 45 days...and I was well under the deadline.

I went down to the annex on Lubbock...signed in at the parking office...I didn't even know there was such a thing...and sure enough within five minutes I was called in....to talk to the facilitator in person. I told her my story....she asked if I had evidence....I showed her the pictures I had taken on my phone and pleaded my case. She said the law says that one sign is enough....it is my problem as to whether or not I saw it. I even had pictures of the other side of the street where they had several "no parking" signs throughout the block...there was no getting around her...she was adamant but then she wavered just a moment and said I know you didn't intentionally park in a "no parking" zone but the fact remains that there was a sign...and you failed to honor it. I will reduce your fine to $20.00.

It was negotiated....and both of us ended up winning to some degree. I paid my dues...went back out to the parking lot and there was a couple having a hard time with the parking machine....and did not have enough money...I said here take my parking ticket...I am leaving...(those tickets that you have to pay first and stick the receipt in your windshield)...is it still good...I think so...and then the parking police who happened to be sitting int he car next to mine and watching the whole discussion, rolled down her window....and I asked her the same question? She said they can't use your ticket..it has your parking number on it...well, apparantley I did not do the praking meter right either...and the receipt I had really belonged to someone else....and guess what...it was their number...that car had just left and the spot was vacant...so I even got free parking..and so did they!That really was not part of the story but I had to add it....just love it when those things happen....Parking police was even pleased...if you can believe that...and she smiled and said honey...you are living right...that could have been a ticket for you. She said it...I believe it....maybe it is not living right but who I am attempting to live under.

We mess up daily...or maybe I should just speak for myself....and each night when day is done I too have to go before my facilitator and plead my case.The difference is my facilitator, God, has been with me all day....He has seen my errors and my oversights and there is no negotiations with him. He has already dismissed all of my sins...he is just in waiting mode hoping that my ways will eventually change to become more in line with his ways. He doesn't expect perfection...only an humble attempt to be tranformed...through Him everyday.

If I as ticketed every time I did somethign wrong or said something out of line....I would never be able to keep up...pay back or find time to contest. Thank God he is not holding my daily records against me. But just as I am going to be more aware of looking for posted no parking signs....God wants me to be more aware of his posted signs...and honor them. Lets see, what do some of his signs say..

1) I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me
2) You shall not make for yourself an idol
3) Do not take my name in vain - God's name is special because it carries His special identity - the way we use God's name speaks voloumes about what we think of HIm
4) Remember the Sabbath, keep it holy - a day of rest and worship
5) Honor your father and mother...parents have a special place in God's heart...even those who are hard to get along with...this sign comes with a promise ... and you will live in peace
6) Do not murder
7) Do not commit adultery
8) Do not steal
9) Do not bear false witness against neighbor - be careful about leaving something out of a story or adding somethign to it that does not belong
10) Do not covet....anything - resenting the fact that others have what you do not.

We are to post those signs in our hearts and ask God to help us honor them..we can pull this off on our own...no way ...no how...and to really understand how much territory these posted :God" signs cover...we must read between the lines...these guidelines of God were directed to meet the need of every individual in a loving and responsible manner. But if we read into them a little more, we see God's purpose for rendering such guidelines. For example...no other gods...we make money a god, fame, prosperity, work, pleasure....we allow all of them so often to come before God.....when we concentrate to much on them for personal identity....we lose our true identity in who we are in God and through God. We end up ultimately letting the "little" gods control our thoughts and consume our energy. Consider some of the other laws...by looking at them with depth...how could God use this law or that one to protect me, to make me mindful of others over myself....etc.

Romans 7
21So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in the members of my body...

but Jesus Christ has lived and died so that he has the power to help us overcome the sin nature that resides with us and fights to have its own way..he helps us to acknowledge His laws as worthy and life lifting..and obey them for our own sake and but ultimately for His glory


Worldly Signs....they are before us at every stop....but what about God's signs? How many times do we honor those? And when we don't what is the penalty....the penalty is the consequence we incur upon ourselves. God forgives us at every turn...but he also allows us in many cases the opportunity to reap what we sow.

I parked in a "no parking" zone...and I paid for it...where are God's guidelines when it comes to my parking my words, my behavior, my attitude etc. I too will pay for His signs that I honor as well as teh ones I overlook.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the reminder to look our for your life designated signs that would help me to sustain a countenance of peace and perspective. Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation he has allowed you to be in...for His glory will shine through.

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http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/