My Day in Court

The summer is a time when many folks head to the coast to enjoy the fun and frolic of beach, sand, and the like.   I was thinking the other day about a time I had made such a trip to the coast.  I was in a hurry to get home and was stopped by a highway patrol officer that issued me a ticket for speeding.  I was guilty of the charge, but bemoaned that the speeding ticket would possibly mean not only a fine and court costs but also higher auto insurance rates.   As a single parent in those days seeking to raise kids on a pastor’s salary, money was not plentiful in our household.  So, I went to see my local attorney.

Bill Burgwyn was a member of the congregation I had the priviledge to pastor.  He was not only an attorney, but also a District attorney for 25 years.  I went by to see Bill and shared my predicament.   He  listened compassionately, and after I finished, Bill said,  “Randy, hold on a minute.  Let me make a phone call.”  Without looking up the number, he called the clerk of court’s office.  He asked a few questions of the person on the other end of the phone, put down the phone, and said:   “Randy, when is your court date?  I am going to court with you on that date.”  

On my court date, Bill and I headed over to the courthouse in the neighboring county.  Bill was greeted warmly by the courthouse employees when he walked in the door with me.  As a former district attorney, he knew most of them.   After exchanging pleasantries with many of those employees, we headed to the judge’s chambers where he introduced me to the judge who would be presiding at my trial.   I discovered that Judge Grant was not only an old friend of Bill’s, but also a distant cousin.   Bill then told me to go have a seat, and he would take care of everything.     The time came for my trial, and I appeared in the courtroom as the defendant with Bill as my attorney.  The highway patrol officer was there, and he told the judge I had acted very polite to him that day.   When the court case was over, the judge offered me a prayer of judgment.   I not only was found not guilty, but I also had no court costs.   It was a happy ending that happened  all because I had an advocate who knew well the judge.  

 There are perhaps few drivers who can say they have never sped in their travels, and there are certainly no  persons who can say they have never sinned.  Hear the good news of these verses from I John 2:1-3 where we read: 

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. ² He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.  

            Thanks be to God for the advocate we know in Jesus Christ and for the Father/Judge who forgives us time after time.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

PRAYER :     O God,  we give you thanks that for your grace and forgiveness that is found in your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ.  Thanks you for your amazing grace.  Amen.