The Price of Integrity
A couple weeks ago, I found a yellow envelope on my car window. Now you don't have to be around Loma Linda University long to know what a yellow envelope means. I was guilty of a parking violation. The date was actually April 1 so at first, I thought it was a joke. But upon closer inspection, the ticket was very real. The photo of the ticket is displayed on the right and it reads, "VIOLATION: PARKED OVER THE TIME LIMIT, FINE: $30.00.
Now $30 may not seem like a lot to some people, but to a poor graduate student with no income who is planning a wedding, it hurts. I immediately trudged to the Security Office trying to think of ways to get out of paying the fine. I thought about claiming that I didn't know the parking time limit or that I thought reparking across the street was okay. But all my reasonings were either untrue or half-truths, at best. Should I lie? I decided that my integrity was worth more than $30 and instead submitted it to the Lord, asking Him to honor my commitment.
The LLU Department of Security always allows for an appeals process. You write on a form why you think they should excuse your ticket. I've gotten reprieves in the past, but never by admitting guilt. Here is what I wrote:
Now $30 may not seem like a lot to some people, but to a poor graduate student with no income who is planning a wedding, it hurts. I immediately trudged to the Security Office trying to think of ways to get out of paying the fine. I thought about claiming that I didn't know the parking time limit or that I thought reparking across the street was okay. But all my reasonings were either untrue or half-truths, at best. Should I lie? I decided that my integrity was worth more than $30 and instead submitted it to the Lord, asking Him to honor my commitment.
The LLU Department of Security always allows for an appeals process. You write on a form why you think they should excuse your ticket. I've gotten reprieves in the past, but never by admitting guilt. Here is what I wrote:
I acknowledge that I reparked, mainly because the library has so few parking spaces and there was nowhere else to park. I'm just hoping you will reduce the fine since I am a poor student and recently engaged (trying to save money =) Please!I received an answer back last week. The form was marked: Warning. No fine.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8Note: Please do not replicate my appeal at the LLU Security Office. I hear it only works once...
9 Comments:
Way to go Tim!! I've been in an almost similar situation where I was the reciepient of grace after acknowledging guilt and asking for mercy while telling the truth. Praise God for your willingness of doing what is right.
By the way, how go the wedding plans?
Wow... what a blessing, Tim.
Anything I can help for the wedding???? ;-)
Wow, such a poignant spiritual lesson. We receive grace through genuine repentance and confession. Grace covers our sins, that we may be ready for the wedding of the Lamb. (Grace also empowers us to cease to sin as well, so we'll see if you dare to get a ticket again! ;-)
I'm not sure how getting engaged gets you out of a parking ticket, but maybe someday I'll get to try it...
We were greatly entertained by your story. Hope the wedding plans work out as well!
That's awesome Tim!! God really answered your prayer!! I didn't think you'd get out of that one! No more tickets now, ok! ;-)
Praise God, Tim!
Praise God, Tim!
CONGRATULATIONS, Dr. ARAKAWA!
The first big event of life has happened , another biggest one is coming! What a year for u!
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