A Speeding Ticket's Unexpected Lesson

Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in many months. How could a guy get caught so often?

When his car had slowed down to 10MPH, Jack pulled over but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.

The cop was stepping out of his car with the big pad in hand.

Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk further into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Christian cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little anxious to get home after a long day at the office. A guy that was about to play golf the next day. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday; a man he's never seen in uniform.

"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."

"Hello, Jack." No smile.

"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."

"Yeah, I guess."

Bob seemed uncertain. Good. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit just this once." Jack toed a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"

"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."

Ouch! This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.

"What did you clock me at?"

"Seventy One. Would you sit back in your car please?"

"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.

"Please, Jack, in the car."

Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes went by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.

"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word. Jack watched him leave in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was it? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:

"Dear Jack,

Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when she was killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now... Pray for me and be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob"

Jack twisted around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, the weight of Bob's words settling in. As he drove, the scenery outside became a blur, and he found himself thinking about the what-ifs. What if he had been the one to cause a fatal accident? What if his own family had been torn apart by his reckless behavior? The questions swirled in his mind, and for the first time, he felt a deep sense of regret for his actions. He thought about the time his own daughter had asked him to slow down, her small voice laced with concern, and how he had dismissed her worries with a reassuring smile. Now, he couldn't shake the memory of her fearful eyes. Praying for forgiveness and guidance, Jack made a silent vow to be more mindful on the road, not just for himself, but for the sake of those he loved. When he arrived home, he was met with the warm smiles of his wife and kids, and he couldn't help but think of Bob, and the weight of his loss. Jack realized that his own recklessness could have had devastating consequences, not just for himself, but for those he loved. He felt a sense of gratitude for the wake-up call, and a renewed commitment to being more mindful on the road.

Life is precious. Handle with care.