SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT - - -

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

When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour 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, the big pad in
hand. Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther 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 eager to get home after a long
day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf
with tomorrow.

Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw
every Sunday, a man he'd 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 at 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'd 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 ticked 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 his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded
the sheet of paper.

How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this?
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
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 turned 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,
praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife
and kids when he arrived.

Life is precious. Drive safe for the Holidays.

Handle life with care.

This is an important message, please pass it along to
your friends.