What you see, is not always what has happened. When you see it
is important too. But too often in testifying to what we see, we neglect to
offer that, and trouble occurs. Five years ago, I was hit on the Bonneville,
and the witnesses said they saw a fast motorcycle passing a car on a curve.
What they hadn’t seen was the car pulling away from the curb, with no signal,
and me trying to avoid her when she was trying to make a left turn onto a street
she had missed, one she lived on by the way. And so I was found guilty by the
officer, who believed them, but not me. The same officer who signed off on this
accident that happened on March 24 at 330pm at 1234pm, on March 23, almost 15
hours before I was hit. But using some connections, and persistence, after a
year I was to be vindicated. A victory won, but not without injuries. First I
still walk with a limp, the bike was fixed, only to be hit again, and I learned
that not all lawyers are lawyers, but only negotiate for you. I will only give
out the names here if asked. I don’t need them to come after me, although they
dumped me....
So after getting the package they were supposed to be working on
from them one Saturday, I needed an attorney more than ever. Through
connections and persistence, I had the report corrected, but was too late to
help my insurance, who found me at fault, per the initial report and raised my
rates. But somehow her insurance company paid for my bike to be repaired,
although she claimed innocence, and the story was about to get more
interesting. I called Shapiro and Leventhal that Saturday afternoon, leaving a
message, and within a half hour Stan Leventhal called me back. And taken the
whole story, taken the case, and assured me I was in the right. Something this
other motorcycle attorney had failed to do. And meeting in their offices the
next week, Steve Shapiro, he who started RIP’s BAD Ride against diabetes, was on
the phone while I sat there, moving ahead. And within a week, the case was
settled for my accident that happened that October when I was hit again, on the
Bonneville, from the rear, no mistake this time. And for only 15%, not the
usual 33 1/3! And Stan helped me settle the first case the police had botched,
telling me to write it out, and he would correct it like he does his son’s
homework. For free! I can highly recommend Shapiro and Leventhal-Steve rides,
and we see each other at biker events. These guys are great! But I wasn’t done
yet, I still had to settle the first accident myself.
I must admit to being frustrated at times, knowing the truth yet
it being denied can take a toll, and riding home again from a hospital
visitation, but a different route, I was sitting at a light and told God “I
can’t do this any more, do something!” I had won the maximum using Steve and
Stan, but this first case seemed to drag on. I heard that voice of his telling
me “my grace is sufficient,” and a peace came over me. So much it made me
smile, and I sitting at my desk at home, I began to thank him, the burden had
been lifted, I did what I should have done earlier, but now was now. Again the
what and when would be important. As I looked down to my left, on top of the
pile of papers from the first accident was a letter from almost two months ago
from her insurance company. They wanted to settle with me, even though they
claimed it was my fault. All I had to do was send all the bills, which they
added 20% to, and they sent me a check-God’s grace was sufficient, and this
letter was sitting there all the time. And within a week I had a check, and
after negotiating like Stan told me with the doctors and hospital, only paid 50
cents on each dollar charged! I won, and also ended up with better insurance
for less money-despite what the other company had told me. God’s grace was
sufficient, I could not have done this myself. It took God, and his justice to
win. His what and when being right on time, as he always is. Can I hear and
amen!
I can think of many scriptures regarding this, from what the
devil meant for evil, God meant for good. All things work together for those
who love the Lord. Take my yoke, for it is easy. And of course, his grace is
always sufficient. But most importantly, other than how he has everything under
control, he taught me not to rush to judgment. We so often do, without checking
sources, stories, and witnesses who know what they saw, but not when, which can
change the whole story. How many times will we admit to being wrong, causing
damage, when we need to apologize and make it right? Do we ask forgiveness to
others, and so we accept it from others? Are we only persistent when it is for
our benefit, or will we stand up for another wrongly accused? Do we care enough
about the truth to seek it with all our hearts? Do we turn to Jesus first, or
only after we have failed ourselves? God was just waiting for me to drop it all
in his lap, the letter was already on my desk. And he also helped to heal my
heart towards the woman who hit me. Grace worked for her too, I wanted to kill
her for hitting me. I learned to forgive the officer who wrote a horrible
report, and after being investigated properly, I was found innocent. I had
persevered, God had the situation under control the whole time, and once I let
Jesus be the wonderful counselor he is, I won. Lastly being taught again, the
battle belongs to the Lord.
No matter what you are battling today, God is on your side.
Even if you are guilty, he will provide, and protect. He forgives, the court
and judge may not, but he protects you. Better to fear He that can keep you
from eternal hell than those who can do earthly harm. Turn it over to God, and
watch the truth surface. His judgments are true, He knows the when and what, He
knows where and how, and above all things he is the who. Where do you turn?
When? But to who is still the most important. And once I turned it allover to
my real wonderful counselor, he took care of the details, and Stan and Steve
came into my life. All at the right time!
We may lose battles, but we will win the war. This world is
filled with false witnesses, those who will persecute you, and speak evil of
you. But God knows, and even tells us to pray for our enemies. That ought to
keep you busy for a few weeks, it does me. But seek Jesus first, watch as all
things work to good, and you draw closer to him. He loves you, and stays with
you. And will represent you, unlike some law firm I won’t name. What you may
see is not always what happened, but Jesus sees all, and knows all. He is the
truth...can’t argue with that. And will defend you better than Perry Mason, who
only lost one case. Jesus never lost one of his own, become one of his today.
The world is out to get you, so is Jesus. He wants to save, the other destroy.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Call your next witness...
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com