There are times when we just need mercy. I needed mercy last week. I was driving home one evening and my mind was preoccupied. My head and heart were full of all the issues of life.
Then, I saw him! I saw him and then I looked. You may know that feeling. You see them, and then you look down at the speedometer. Man! I was going faster than I should have been. He pulled in right behind me and followed me. He didn’t turn his lights on right away.

I played all the scenarios in my head. If he turns those lights on, everyone is going by saying “Ha! Ha! He’s getting a ticket!” I know, I’ve done it too. I’m sitting there waiting to turn left and he flipped his lights on. Thankfully I saw a driveway and pulled in—unfortunately it was the parking lot of another church. Still hearing those voices—Yeah! That pastor from Victory…saw him getting a ticket in another church parking lot. Can you imagine?

I handed him my license and said, “I’m sorry. My mind was preoccupied.” He took my license and registration and went back to his car. It took him a long time to come back to my truck. And you know what that usually means—a ticket.

And I’m thinking, traffic school, more insurance…when he said, “Here’s what I’m going to do for you.” In that instant hope arose—THERE IS A GOD! I’m listening—hanging on his every word. My heart is tempted to smile, but not just yet.

He said, “You need to get focused. I’m going to give you a warning. You need to slow it down.” I thanked him. And then when he walked away I rejoiced. I deserved a ticket. I was guilty. But this officer granted me mercy. And that’s what God does for us when we come to him.

That’s what we need this year. We are all vulnerable, but whatever offense we’ve committed, we can bring it to the throne of our Heavenly Father. I’m so thankful for his mercy today.