I had agreed to drive my aging aunt and uncle home to Florida which not only helped them but gave me a ride as well. We loaded their nearly new Plymouth and started the long trek from the Ozarks to the flatlands of the South.

In a small town in the middle of Alabama we encountered a roadblock. We never found out why the police were checking driver's licenses and insurance coverage. But that was no problem because we knew we were completely legal. Or so we thought. I confidently produced my license and my uncle produced the other documents that were needed.  When we finally edged our way to the checkpoint we were pleasantly surprised to be waved through without so much as a glance at the papers we had produced.

It was only later as we thought back on the encounter that we realized the kind policeman had noticed our front license plate which said something about Florida.  He correctly assumed that was our destination and that we were not local. The conversation then turned to license renewal times. I hadn't yet put mine away so I glanced at it thinking I had another year to go before renewal. My heart came up in my throat as I realized I was driving such a long trip on a license that had expired weeks earlier. And of course it was a holiday weekend so there would be no opportunity to renew the license while I was in Florida.

In order to get back for college classes and job responsibilities I would have to leave very early Monday morning driving once again on that expired license. And once again, I was stopped by an Alabama State Trooper and had to produce that out of date license. And yep...I was scared out of my mind. Imagine my surprise and relief when the trooper never even looked at my license but handed me a coke and thanked me for my safe driving habits as he had been following me for several miles.

Folks, there is a God in Heaven who watches out for those who mean well and are doing their best but aren't quite up to par.  In both of these encounters I certainly deserved law but received grace instead. How about you? Aren't you glad we do not get what we deserve but are recipients of God's great grace...instead?

Lovingly,

Pastor Richard Orrell