Answers to Prayer in Spite of our Oppressive Government

Questionable Speeding Ticket

A couple of months ago, I got a speeding ticket. When the cop pulled me over, I actually thought it was because I might have been going too slow. My van was making a weird sound and I was worried that I might be breaking down. I was given a citation for going 48 in a 30. Maybe it was my pro-life bumper sticker that says, "Children are a gift from God". Anyway, I was also given a warning that I needed to get a Texas driver's license--I still have my New Mexico license since we moved recently.


The First Answer to Prayer

I went down to the courthouse a couple of weeks later and plead not guilty. I was given a court date, and it said on the paper that they gave me that the fine would be due at the time of the judgment. Some stuff came up and it was going to be hard for me to come up with the money, so I prayed about it. I got stuck in traffic because of a signal light that was out, and when I got to the courthouse, it was dark inside. It turns out the power was out in that area. Because of the outage, I was given another court date a month later! Another blessing was that they never asked about my driver's license which I still hadn't taken the time to take care of.


How My Day Began

Today was the new court date. I forgot about it last payday when I was paying the bills, so I didn't allow a lot of extra money to cover the fine. If I had to pay today, things were going to be a little tight for the next eight days. I was planning to get my driver's license yesterday, but my husband had to take my van to Dallas, so I didn't get the chance. Plan B was to get up at 7:00 a.m. and get the license before my 10:30 a.m. court appearance. I forgot to set my alarm, but a cloud moved or something and my room suddenly got really bright at 7:02 a.m. I thanked the Lord and started my day by reading several chapters in my Bible.

First Visit to the D.O.T.

I took Joseph with me and headed to the atm to pull out some cash. I took out some cash to pay the ticket, but prayed I wouldn't have to use it. I then drove through Sonic and got an Iced Mocha Latte. So far, so good. After waiting in line at the D.O.T., a grouchy woman informed me of which documents I would need to change my license over. My registration was in the car, and I realized that my social security card must be in my other purse--Jojo had emptied my wallet and I had stuffed some cards in that purse, and later I had changed purses in a hurry. "THIS IS WHY I SHOULD NEVER CHANGE PURSES", I thought to myself. I asked the clerk if I would have to wait in line again when I came back. She replied, "There probably won't be a line", which I knew wasn't true based on the line that was already forming. I raced back to the house and called ahead so Jess could meet me in the driveway with the card. Remember, I had to be in court by 10:30 a.m. and the clock was ticking.

Second Visit to the D.O.T.

I got in line again with all of my paperwork. I noticed that the grouchy female clerk was giggling with a man in his fifties which was about how old she was. He didn't have the right paperwork, but was told to "come right up here next time" so he wouldn't have to wait in line again. I pretended not to notice the injustice and greeted her with a friendly smile when it was my turn.

When I presented the paperwork, she exclaimed in a surprised voice that the vehicle was in my husband's name. I said, " Yes, it is". Keep in mind that I had also shown her proof of insurance with both of us on the policy, my valid NM driver's license, and my social security card. She said that she was not going to be able to give me a license, because I didn't have a vehicle. I said, "Isn't it pretty common for a wife to be driving her husband's vehicle?! I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation". She then said she needed a marriage license, which I of course did not have with me. I said, "No, because you didn't ask for that the first time". Next she asked for a voter registration card from New Mexico which I no longer carry. In desperation, I offered to show her my checkbook to show that my husband and I not only had the same last name, but were both on the same bank account together. She refused to look at it. I was getting angrier when she asked me for a student I.D. card. I said, "I'M 35 YEARS OLD, I'M NOT IN SCHOOL!!!" Next she wanted my high school diploma--another item that I don't keep in my purse. "How would THAT prove that I'm married to my husband?", I asked. I didn't understand how that either being in school or having graduated somehow made it o.k. to drive a van registered to my husband. "Those are just forms of documentation that we accept", she snapped. As I tried to reason with her, she kept repeating the phrase, "But YOU want to get a license in the STATE OF TEXAS", as if she needed to remind me that I was at her mercy. I told her I needed the license for my court date at 10:30 and she proceeded to give me a lecture that I should have taken care of this sooner. I knew it was over. There was no time for another round trip to the house, so I said, "THANKS A LOT, I'M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO PAY A LOT MORE MONEY NOW! BY THE WAY, I NOTICED YOU DIDN'T MAKE THAT OTHER GUY STAND IN LINE A SECOND TIME! YOU'RE RUDE!". I loaded Joseph back into my car and headed for the courthouse.

My Court Appearance and yet Another Answer to Prayer

I knew it was important to look respectable in court, so I was dressed in my Sunday best. Joseph, who I was carrying on my hip was looking rather dapper in his button up shirt and tweed, cuffed slacks. When the prosecutor introduced herself to us, it was obvious that she was enamored with my JoJo, the world's cutest one-and-a-half year old. Without asking me any questions, she offered to keep the ticket off of my record, reduce the fine, and give me time to pay it. As long as I didn't get a ticket in the next 30 days, the deal would stand. Was the ruling fair? I don't know. Like a lot of things in this strange new world called Texas, it didn't make much sense, but I was happy with it. They wanted some money and they will get it--next payday. I was ready to close that chapter of my life, anyway, so I thanked her and waited for my paperwork. I couldn't help but overhear the same prosecutor talking in a very condescending way to a haggard looking woman who was claiming not to have realized that her license had expired. The clerk had me sign a paper, and as I was leaving I glanced back over at the prosecutor with a smile. She said, "By the way, thank you for bringing the baby". "Did that help?", I asked. She laughed and nodded.

Overall, I can't complain about how my morning went. I've got money in my wallet and I'm planning to get the driver's license another day. Hopefully someone else will be on duty, and I'll be prepared with my marriage license and diploma and whatever else I can think of.