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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
Facebook comment from Jim McClelland: Although, most fortunately, I have not become riled as your example described, I do find myself, very frequently, gesturing my judgment with that palms up "Really?" at other drivers.
ReplyDeleteOh, how lovely it is in my own little world...
That is most frequently my issue, the gestures. And possibly running along at speed with no one in the car with me and windows rolled up letting out a yell of some sort.
DeleteComing up here this Saturday I had decided to pull into the Weed Airport Rest Stop for a photo of Mt. Shasta. I hit the offramp and slowed to a reasonable speed (IMO) when a car pulled in front of me from the shoulder. I followed him into the rest area and he stopped dead in the "No Stopping Anytime" zone. I raised my hands in question, pulled around him and parked.
He backed up, and leaned over to the passenger window dressed in his CalTrans worker vest and said that there's a speed limit on the off ramp. I told him I was there and continued walking. He then yelled he was writing down my license number. I walked on and said, "OK".
I have theory for his actions. And to my benefit, no storm of CalTrans workers rained down on me the rest of the way up. So, if you don't here from me after I drive home, look for a shallow grave at the rest stop.
Facebook reply from Jim McClelland: LOL!!
DeleteSimilar, but different, encounter in about the same area:
It was the trip Shirley and I were making to your folks for their 65th anniversary party. I am bombing along in Shirley‘s car at 85+ in the left lane, and am closing quickly on a UPS truck dutifully obeying the speed limit. I make a change to the right lane to go around him (gesture free) and he also decides to change lanes, now with little room to spare. I calmly continue my trajectory and passed him on the paved shoulder.
I’m pretty sure he gestured.
Of course he gestured, it's in the manual.
DeleteFacebook comment from Betty White: I wrote a very good reply on your blog site - and then It was gone! Whoosh! Just like that! Oh, well, probably better that way. Good post Jerry. I will say that we have no such symbols on our car. Do not want anyone to be confused by my blunders and what I really believe and try to be. 😷😇
ReplyDeleteSorry your comment didn't make to the blog page, I was hoping Google had improved the process but I guess not.
DeleteI don't have much on my vehicles either, just a little cross that blends with the chrome... Even when I wear a cross, it's generally inside my shirt. I try to let my actions do the speaking and they usually do, for good or bad.