My First Ticket (an obedience tale informed by Romans)

I think we can all agree that a parking ticket is not a “real” ticket. Everyone has had at least one parking ticket…right?

Well, here is the story of my first moving violation.

The family and I needed to go to San Diego for the weekend, but also be back to church for Sunday worship. Because we had to leave so early on Sunday, we decided to eat breakfast on the go. We stopped by a McDonalds in Carlsbad ordered our food and here’s were I get the ticket.

The way to the freeway from the McDonalds is south. I could not turn that way because there is a median in the road. The option I have is to turn north and make a u-turn south or turn north and turn into an industrial complex turn around and go south. I decided to make the u-turn even though there was a clear no u-turn sign

Here was my reasoning behind this.

1. It was early on a Sunday morning in an industrial area. There was no one around and it was perfectly safe.
2. I didn’t want to waste time turning into the industrial complex.

Well, I turn north on the road and immediately get the left turn only lane. I began to make a wide turn and hiding behind a wall of bushes is two of San Diego’s finest on their motorcycles. As I was turning, I saw one of them motion to turn on his bike. I pulled over to the side of the road in a safe area and waited. He parked behind me and walked up to the driver side window. The kids began asking what was happening. I told them that I did something wrong while driving and that I was about to get in trouble for it by some very nice police officers. Here is the conversation I had with the officer.

O=Officer     M=Me      W=Wife

O: May I have your license, registration, and insurance.
M: Yes Sir (I gave him all the documents. He came back after doing some checks)
O: Do you know why I pulled you over?
M: Absolutely. (The officer laughs)
O: Please sign here, by signing this you are not admitting your guilt.
(At this point my wife chimes in with her very funny wit)
W: No, he’s guilty (Officer laughs)
O: Thanks for having a good attitude about this.
M: I have friends on the Job. Thank you for the reminder that even early on a Sunday morning when no one is around, I need to obey the traffic signs.
O: Be safe.
M: You too. (I pull away after he leaves).

I am very bummed that I have to pay the ticket, but it was my fault.

The way I live is informed by the Bible and brought back into check with scripture.

The Bible teaches me how to act in these situations Rom 13:1-4.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.

Now I have to go to traffic school and keep the point off my record. Pay a ticket. AND remember to drive right and obey all the signs.

I sinned, I did not do what was good but what was expedient,  and I am now receiving the punishment for it.  This sucks.

-jpserrano