Now what?
Recounting the story to an attorney who was taking night classes, he excitedly explained to me that it was an easy place to get a ticket overturned. It "wasn't marked well???¢????, "changed speeds more than once in a brief stretch???¢????, and "besides???¢????, the well-intentioned classmate proffered, "if you contest, the chances are good the officer won't show up and you'll get out of it that way.???¢????
With me while he was saying these things was my daughter (a first-grader then). She listened quietly and respectfully through the whole conversation. When we were alone, she started asking questions. "Dad, was that guy trying to help us????¢???? I replied that he was, not really noticing she was studying this matter closely. "He thinks he can save us a lot of money by getting us out of a speeding ticket.???¢????
It took me a while to notice her silence, but when I did I turned and immediately saw the crestfallen look on her face. "What's wrong,???¢???? I asked????¢???? She looked at me with a mixture of disbelief and disappointment while asking the only question that really mattered: "Dad, were you speeding????¢????
Busted!
It's a difficult moment when our children first discover we're not perfect.
I can't help wondering how often I've missed that crestfallen look???¢????¦in the eyes of a coworker, a vendor, a family member or others who know my faith and have seen me missing the mark of the high calling of ambassador for Jesus Christ (II Cor. 5:20). Worse yet, I shudder to think of the number of times I've disappointed He who sees all, especially after the terrible and painful price He paid to make grace available to me.
And yet, not once has Jesus failed me; not once has He failed to keep every promise He's made to me---and you. The day I almost skipped out on a ticket started my daughter's difficult journey of discovery that her parents weren't perfect, the first of many such episodes with heroes big and small. Thankfully, however, it also helped her understand why Jesus' love is so important; for He never takes shortcuts, never dodges the hard moments and never leaves her wondering where she may go to rest on the Rock that's never shaken.
May you find in Him the rest we do???¢????¦and may we endeavor---shoulder to shoulder---to live worthy of His name.
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