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| Image from Storyblocks under my subscription |
Mistaken Identity
Ephesians 5: 1&2: Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in
love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us,
an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
My thanks to the good Pastor Tom Berry at Bethany Presbyterian Church for
sharing the following story during his sermon this past St. Patrick’s Day. I’ve
personalized it at, as you will see.
**********
A Case of Mistaken
Identity
The man, let’s call him Herbert, was driving down Foothill Boulevard at
or just above the speed limit with is two young children in the backseat; one
tucked snuggly away in the car seat facing rearward, the other proudly sitting atop
the booster seat taking in the passing scene. The signal turned yellow and
Herbert went to his brakes coming to a stop just his side of the crosswalk. The
woman behind, who shall remain nameless, had been too close to begin with and was
rushing to make it through the intersection on the tailpipe of the car in front
of her. The woman’s ABS brought her to a hard stop just short of the rear bumper.
She laid on the horn a fraction too long and then began gesticulating as
only irate drivers can. Her abusive language wafted out the windows cracked to
let in fresh air. This continued for several seconds when she heard a tap on
the driver’s side window. The stream of vitriol ended abruptly when she saw the
L.A. County Sheriff's Deputy standing there.
He ordered her out of the car, turned her around, and had her place her
hands on the hood of the car, warm from the engine which now pinged and tinged
as it cooled from its labors. The good deputy patted the woman down, handcuffed
her and gently placed her in the back of his black and white SUV. The car was towed
to impound and the woman found herself in a holding cell at the Briggs Avenue
substation.
A couple of hours later a somewhat sheepish deputy arrived at the cell
with his sergeant and both were apologetic as the door to the cell was
unlocked.
The good and kindly deputy said, “I am so sorry for the confusion about
this. I was sitting behind you at the intersection and I saw the ‘Choose Life’
bumper sticker on the left, the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ license plate frame, and
the ‘Not of This World’ bumper sticker on the right. Finally, I saw the LCPC
sticker in your rear window – I know that’s La Crescenta Presbyterian Church
because my kids attend the Center for Children there.
“I just knew the car had to have been stolen and therefore brought you
in.”
**********
Let us be true ambassadors of Christ and live our lives accordingly.
In His grip,
jerry
