i'm re-posting this entry from over 3 years ago. sigh, i'm still not a very patient person, and have a very long way to go. but this story encourages me once again about the goodness of God. hallelujah.

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Oh great, a bus dropping off passengers. I don't feel like waiting so I'll zip right in front.. I made it, no problem. Uh oh, I hear the sirens.

<exchange between cop and me. i give him my license, registration, and insurance card.>

great job, bob. you can be so darn impatient at times. all you had to do was wait just 5-10 more seconds and you would've been fine! but nooo, you couldn't wait even that long. well, this time i deserve to have the book thrown at me. last time i was this impatient on broad avenue, i was shown mercy by the cop after i cried out "mercy" to God like 50 times. but i definitely won't get it this time, and rightfully so.

i think this instance of impatience is indicative of what's going on in my life. God, you've been teaching me so much about patience in the last year, but I feel like I'm still not getting it. I get so restless and antsy about every little thing. I try to do everything quickly. I'm quickly counting down the days left in my semester instead of taking care of my own business. Even my times of prayers and worship these days are more of the microwave variety instead of a fresh-cooked gourmet meal. why can't i just chill and trust you? you've been coming through for me over and over again, and yet i still doubt and refuse to take the time to obey and sow accordingly. actually, i'm glad now that i got pulled over.  it's given me time to stop and think about how i've been living...

hmm, this cop is taking a while. what is he doing? patience, bob. oh look, here he comes. well i actually hope he gives me everything that i deserve. maybe this way i'll learn.

<cop comes up to car.>
Cop: Listen, I'm going to give you a break since you're a Ridgefield resident. You deserve a higher fine and 4 insurance points, but I think this charge only comes with a $54 fine and you won't get any points. Just don't do it again.
Me: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

<while driving in the slow lane northbound on the Palisades Parkway.>

Wow. So that's why the cop was taking a while- he was looking to get me off on a lesser charge! That's just like God, isn't it? Our sins carry a consequence with them, but God still looks for ways to show His incredible mercy. My sin is worthy of eternal punishment and the forfeiting of His promises, but yet God forgives me and lets me off the hook. And it's because I'm a citizen of His kingdom (that's better than being a Ridgefield resident)! Of course, there is always a cost to sin but usually, it's more of the $54 variety and there's no eternal stain (or points) on my record. Wow wow wow!

"But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
-Romans 8:25

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
-Galatians 5:22-23

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."
-1 Corinthians 13:4