The A-S-K

I recently got a big ‘ol fat parking ticket.

Michelle and I were at a wedding rehearsal dinner down in Columbia at Cola’s this past Friday night. [Sidenote: Congratulations to Kamryn and Tavin — you guys are amazing!!] And as family and friends were making their toasts, my two hours worth of parking ran out.

We couldn’t just get up and leave. So we sat and continued to listen.

We left as soon as we could but were 17 minutes late getting to the car. And a $75 ticket was already waiting for us on the windshield. In case you’re wondering, that’s $4.41 per minute. Yikes. [I told you it was a fat ticket.]

So when we got home I decided to scan the QR code on it to “dispute” the charges. My thought process was, “Why not?” I may still have to give up $75, but, who knows, right?

Now, if you know me, you’re not surprised. I squeeze nickels so hard the buffaloes on the back shed tears. Sorry, I digress.

I challenged the ticket by explaining the rehearsal dinner situation. Then I asked for consideration.

And I got it!

I truly didn’t expect it. But the ticket was waived. And as I was thanking the Lord, a saying I heard a while back popped into my head:

“If you don’t A-S-K, you won’t G-E-T!”

So true!

Could that be one reason Jesus said in Matthew 7:7-8, “Ask and keep on asking …”?

I know, a $75 ticket is nothing in the grand scheme of things. A total nothing burger.

But disputing [not accepting; pushing back against] the much heavier penalties [i.e., those major life events that feel like massive punishments; the harsh realities life sometimes hands us] that end up on the windshields of our hearts and minds — whether deserved or undeserved — is so worth the try.

How do we do it? We pray. And then we trust God with the outcomes.

Those are always our best moves.

So whatever is troubling you, if you don’t feel it’s God’s will, dispute it.

It’s abolutely worth the A-S-K.