It Never Hurts to Ask

This picture wasn't taken the same day as the events but this is what we usually look like.

One night coming home from work, I had picked up the kids and they asked to take a different route home than our usual one; down a back road that led through neighborhoods and by some of our family's property. I agreed and off we went talking about our day and weaving around curves.

That is until I happened to look down at my speedometer and I realized that I was going too fast. About the time I started to slow down, a trooper sped past, slammed on his breaks, to which I knew meant that he was coming after. Sure enough, he turned around and wasn't far behind.

The kids were, of course, thrilled that their mother was being pulled over. A flood of questions filled the van. Will he give you a ticket? How fast were you going? Are you going to jail? What will happen to us if you go to jail? -Meanwhile, I am trying hard to play it cool; hoping to come across at least polite while hiding any of the irritation that I felt.

I have no idea how I came across to the Officer but it didn't spare me from any tickets. Not only did I get the speeding ticket but evidently my tags had expired as well. It was a twofer! Hooray. If only I could've shared the same enthusiasm as the kids about this experience.

Colin and I both haven't exactly had great driving records. While I finally managed to get mine clean, there was a time that you could've wallpapered a small room with my tickets. (Yes, that's an exaggeration but let it serve the visual that there were many!) I didn't want another or the adjustment on my insurance.  So, I joked and secretly hoped and/or prayed that the officer wouldn't show up for court and somehow my ticket would be dismissed. I didn't get an attorney or anything but I was going to court to beg for community service, driving school or anything other than a speeding ticket on my record.

The day came and I went. I opened the courtroom to find it empty, with the exception of two ladies sitting on opposite sides. I slipped in, up front, on the right. We still had about ten minutes or so before court began. We each sat quietly in our places trying to make use of the time.

I suddenly had this urge to pray. I looked at both ladies and then up at the ceiling and thought to myself Dear Lord, I am not praying out loud, here, in this courtroom. -Make no mistake, I am not afraid of talking to anyone or even praying out loud when we're at church or when someone is hurt or clearly needing help in some way. -But even this, felt too out there for me.

I wiggled in my seat and happened to look over to the lady on my left who was fumbling through her purse, looking for something. As I argued silently in my mind about not praying, she whips out a little book with a picture of Jesus on the front of it.

I glance back at the ceiling and think to myself "Really God?!  You're funny." It is of course, a little harder to argue with God when you're staring at a picture of Jesus though, so I turn around to face both ladies and tell them about my secret joke of hoping that we'd get dismissed. Would you mind if I prayed? I asked. They said they didn't mind. They didn't want a ticket either. So there I prayed, right there in the courtroom.

When I was finished the ladies told me each a little about their experience that led them here. By then it was 11:00 and court would begin any minute. Then it was 11:02, :03, :04. -Still only the three of us. About the time that I start to consider the irony of a court session not starting on time, the clerk and security guard scurry through the door to declare that the Judge has had some sort of emergency and court would need to be rescheduled.

hmmm. That was weird... or was it?

Each of us stood in line to get our slip with the new date and then we went our separate ways.

Anyway, fast forward, my court date was this past week, again at 11. This time, the courtroom was vastly different. A full room, at least 20 or so people and court already in session. I sat patiently and waited for my turn. I got up the at the wrong time twice and fumbled my words and was told to sit back down. [oy] This wasn't looking good.

I probably irritated the Judge but when the real-time came, she seemed confused about something else I said. Although, I couldn't tell what it was. The ticket for my tags was canceled since I had already rectified the issue and had receipts to prove it. She reduced my speeding ticket to improper equipment. -Still a ticket but not a moving violation. So it wouldn't affect my insurance. I didn't have to go to school or do anything else but pay the fine and court fees. It was resolved. -Pretty close to how I asked too.

It might seem silly to pray for something that isn't life-threatening but I am a firm believer in "it never hurts to ask". Besides James 4:2 says as much "...You do not have because you do not ask God." I don't think that verse is intended to be used in the context of getting something granted by our Genie but how many things come across each of our days and yet we do not even consider something as simple as asking.

After all, other places also remind us to ask for ALL things:


Philippians 4:6  - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."


Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people."

So stop for a minute, and think about it. Is there something that you could ask God about today? 

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Dear Lord, I am thankful that YOU are with us everywhere we go. Give us each an increasing sensitivity to you and an obedience to you in prayer whether it is led by ourselves or in response to your prompting. Help us see your hand and want to lead others to it. :)