The white strip of paper looked just like a parking ticket. As I walked up to my bike, my mind was filled with righteous indignation. Granted I was parked outside the lanes, but there was no room when I parked! Many, myself included, had parked in the same spot over the past few months and I had never seen anyone ticketed. My parking coupon was displayed, so it could not be that. What was this going to cost me?
As I unfolded the paper, my eyes scanned for the number. My annoyance quickly turned to confusion. I could not find anything on the piece of paper that referred to a fine. When I stopped searching and began to read, the top line opened up a new line of thinking; Advisory Notice.
For reasons unknown, although I had infringed rule 3, I was being let off. I was warned that I could get a parking ticket and fine if I repeated by offence but for now there was going to be no ticket.
In an age where the term “post truth” has come into favor, one wonders what it will take to see true truth and consistently take action when there is a wrong. While I was the beneficiary in a small situation related to parking, what if the “issue” was in the treatment of an individual or in a decision process? Some will push for conversation and advisory notices. Others will push for harsh action.
My dream is that we aspire to act with compassion and understand. When one plays outside the lines because of rank or privilege, my hope is we can look back and see actions that looked beyond the superficial and into the hearts and lives of those impacted. May we see tangible results that change the landscape. Actions where one “heaped scorn on princes and sent them away. He gave the poor a safe place to live,” (Psalm 107.40)
As I look to others I see the question in the mirror. What will I do? The answer is found in today’s opportunities.
