Our church recently finished a series on the Ten Commandments with an emphasis that each of us has busted the rules and needs the Savior to change us. Privately, I was agreeable to this interpretation, not realizing humiliation was just around the corner. My sin found me out. Here’s the confession:
I take a “Strong Women, Strong Bones” class at our church three mornings a week from 8 to 9 am. At that time, the closest parking lot is readily available. If one runs late, however, the spaces are swooped up. One morning I was late and did something I rarely did: I parked in one of the many handicap accessible spaces. (Don’t hate me if you are a Pharisee about snatching handicap parking. Read on.)
Oopsie!
Exercise class went well, and I decided to check out our library’s quarterly offerings of free books on the church’s second floor. This area overlooks the atrium where some 100 early birds were purchasing Christmas Joy concert tickets. I made no connection to parking problems as I happily thumbed through many good, and not so good, books.
No to Facing Officer Dana
Then, Security Officer Dana’s voice boomed from the atrium: “Does anyone own a car [stating, my make and model] that is illegally parked?” For a few seconds it didn’t register, and I kept browsing. He then more sternly repeated the question to the silenced crowd. Bam! It hit: I AM ILLEGALLY PARKED! And, THERE IS NO WAY I AM CONFESSING BEFORE THIS CROWD!
Question: What to do? How can I hide my sin?
Answer: By sneaking out, of course.
I took the elevator to the back door exit, which is technically a no-no. Rushing to my car before Officer Dana reappeared or called a tow truck I dropped my reading glasses and stepped on them. Heart pounding I swooped them up and quickly
slid into the car. I backed out and whizzed down the alley, which ironically is next to the courthouse.
Oh Conscience, Thy Sting!
Success! I was undetected! The teenage me would have thought this was a grand escape, but the older me was ashamed. Who was I to slink off and not face the consequences of my behavior? That certainly wasn’t me, or was it? There is a Bible verse that says when we do wrong it is really God who we offend. My “sin” needed to be confessed and made right. I had two agonizing days to mull over what to do.
Let’s Just Face It
At the next class, I parked legally and saw Officer Dana looking in my direction. (Oh, oh, now he knows who owns the guilty car.)
I had purchased a cinnamon bagel with cream cheese for him and said, “I have something to confess. You know that driver you were looking for the other day? It was me. I am truly, truly sorry, and here is my peace offering.”
He didn’t want to take the bagel. “No, it wasn’t you,” he said firmly.
“Oh yes, it was,” I insisted, pushing the bagel bag into his hand.
“No, it wasn’t. The car that was illegally parked was on Bjou Street, not in the parking lot.”
“Really?” I laughed, embarrassed and relieved. “Well, you still deserve the bagel.”
On the other hand, I didn’t deserve any grace and mercy on this, but it sure felt good to receive both. I was guilty after all and suffered for two days. Perhaps there was some heavenly laughter going on.
