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Frances Bacon

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My $150 Mistake: 5 Steps to Wisdom

Running late to meet a fellow pastor, I decided to finish writing a sermon thought instead of leaving on time.    I got into my car and believed I could save time by driving fast, really fast, on the New York State Northway (I-87).  Driving on the six lane highway provided for an opportunity to pass a lot other drivers.  I looked at my watch and saw that I was running 15 minutes late for my lunch meeting.

As I came close to my exit, I foolishly increased my speed.  Sure enough, a New York State trooper was sitting there waiting for someone just like me to stupidly speed faster than the speed limit.  As I saw the red and blue lights flash behind me, I thought about how my license was going to be taken away (I was going at least 25 m.p.h. over the speed limit), huge fines, and the loss of self-respect:  telling my congregation why my wife drives me to work everyday.   I very quickly moved to the right shoulder.  The state trooper did the usual license and registration.  He returned to a sweaty and nervous (also very tardy) speeder.  He asked me why I was driving so fast.  I replied, “I made an idiotic choice of going too fast.  I am new to the area and I am late for a meeting.  I am very sorry that I was speeding.”

The state trooper walked back to his car and began the process of writing a ticket.  He came to the window and he said, “I’m not going to give you a ticket for speeding today.  Instead, I am giving you a ticket for an unsafe lane change and failure to register your license in NY state in 30 days (I was overdue by two weeks).  If I gave you a speeding ticket you would be getting 8 points on your license (a major car insurance cost increase) and you would be paying a $300 fine.  You just got to make the wise decision and slow down.”  Months later, I went to the town court where the speeding occurred to try to plead down the tickets (on the trooper’s suggestion).

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