Down at the end of my street, were a couple of lots, covered with woods. We used to play in them, and these are the ones Joey Coleman accidently set on fire once. But somewhere in our youth, they built a doctor's office on most of it, changing all the rules. We used to ride our bikes in the parking lot, but the main attraction was the left over pile of sand from building this brick building. We would play like we were at the shore-although most of us had never been there, the primary game was digging tunnels. And when you couldn't go any farther than the length of your arm, would start digging from the other side. Great joy was experienced when you broke through, only surpassed when you took your arm out and it didn't collapse. And then after digging for awhile, we would collapse them, returning another day to rebuild them, and go sit on the short brick wall by the entrance, watching as cars sped down South Avenue at 35 mph. Commenting on the different cars as they passed, and getting excited when a new Mustang would go by-boy were they cool.
But on this one afternoon, we were bored with car watching and tunneling, so we decided to look inside the mail slot on the entrance to the doctor's office. Never having been inside, we were curious. And only getting a limited view from the mail slot, Barry noticed that he could reach his nine year old arm in the slot and reach the door knob-which he did, and opened up the door. And set off the burglar alarm.
Sitting there scared to death, we waited for the police to come so we could confess, and beg for mercy. So when the first Scotch Plains PD officer showed up, we approached him, but he waved us away, holding his pistol in one hand, while waving us to safety with his other. And the more we tried to interrupt, and explain we were the criminals he was looking for, the madder he got at us, so we finally took his advice and sat by his car. After about 20 minutes, and three other patrol cars, they found no one and decided to talk to us. Where 20 minutes ago we were ready to confess, now we felt it was better to act like kids, and lie. "OK, kids, what did you want?" And mumbling something I can't remember, they let us go, to return some day to dig tunnels, watch speeding traffic, but never to reach inside of another mail slot-even to this day. And somewhere in the annals ofSPPD crime, lies an unsolved case-and only Barry and I know the answers. At least until today. And we also got our first up close experience with the police.
Both the cops and us didn't communicate well that day. They wouldn't listen, and when they asked, we didn't respond. And seeing a bumper sticker the other day, reminded me why people don't turn to God like we should. That old bumper sticker said "Jesus is coming-and boy is He mad!" Sadly some believe this, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Ask yourself a simple question, if He were mad, why would He die on the cross for us? Why would you pray to someone who hates you? But alas, lies like this permeate society, and even in some churches. Like our earthly fathers-"don't make me come up there!", we think of God as a creature just waiting to punish us-"don't make me come there!"
But you see He already has, and sent Jesus to die on the cross, so we could have a real relationship with Him. And we could be His children, and He can be our God. I like that version better, and since it is the truth, have given my life over to it.
Seek Jesus today, and look at His hands. They are not clenched in fists, but wide open, and you can see where the nails pierced them as He hung on the cross. And His arms are wide open to embrace you, not to punish you. And He wants to spend time with you. And when He shows up needs no gun, so both arms are open to you-and His hands are for holding you-not a gun.
The case of the doctor's office alarm may have easily been solved 45 years ago if the policeman had listened. But today, I am forgiven by God, I just hope the statute of limitations has expired on being a stupid, curious kid. Don't need any 45 year old crime on my resume. But with your sin, act now, and seek Jesus and His forgiveness. The statute of limitations on life is shorter than you think, and the pardon that awaits you expires upon your death. And there are no death sentences in heaven.
Yes, I still look at sand piles wanting to dig tunnels, and still like watching the old cars go by. But the assurance of my innocence in Christ allows me the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. With a full pardon, all crime wiped out. C'mon Jesus-make my day!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogpsot.com