I had to go to traffic court today for a ticket I got for parking in a no parking zone (I didn’t know that it was a no parking zone, although I probably should have figured that out considering it was a great spot and no one else was parked there, I thought I just had good timing). My initial plan was to argue my case; I’ve seen every episode of Matlock and the original Law & Order, so I was feeling pretty good about my chances. Then I overheard some of the other people there and my attitude changed. None of them would accept responsibility for what they did.

Not the guy who crashed his uninsured car into someone else when he ran a red light (he said that everyone should know to look both ways before entering the intersection when the light turns green). Not the lady who got a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt (she doesn’t believe in them and the police should be sensitive to her preferences). Not the guy who was driving 20 miles over the speed limit with a suspended license (the police were targeting him because he was an ex-con, I don’t know how they knew he was an ex-con but he claims that they all recognize him and are conspiring to keep him down). And on and on.

I was pretty depressed by it all. When we did we become a culture of irresponsible finger-pointers, refusing to admit when we mess up? I decided to be different. So when my turn came, I stood up, said what I had done, and accepted responsibility. The fine was $30, plus $25 in court costs. I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t happy about paying it. But I did, because integrity demanded that I do so. So I’m $55 poorer, but I think I made Jesus happy. And that’s what life is about.

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