I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine: Kathy Collard Miller. Kathy and I met several years ago in Kansas City, Missouri. Her words are always an encouragement to me, and I know they will be to you as well.
Kathy has authored several books and is a gifted speaker and conference leader. Her latest book, written with her husband Larry, releases today; the title is Never, Ever Be the Same. Check it out on Amazon or other links below, along with her other writings–she will both encourage and challenge you.
Kathy has graciously agreed to guest post today, providing this excerpt below from her new book. I hope you will read it and then give some thought to the incredible gift God’s grace and mercy is to us all. ~ S
I was driving down a California freeway on a superbly beautiful day of fluffy clouds on a background of clear blue sky and I just felt very happy. My happiness pressed my foot against the accelerator as the wind from the open window blew through my hair. I didn’t see the Highway Patrolman until the red lights from his cruiser grabbed my attention and I pulled over to the side of the road.
He came up to my side of the car and we went through what I assumed were the regular questions (since I’d never had a moving violation before). Then I said, “I don’t expect you to not write a ticket but my husband will ask me if I told you that he’s a police officer in Huntington Beach.” I gave Larry’s name.
He didn’t smile as he took my license and walked back to his cruiser. I knew I was getting a ticket and I knew I deserved it. I had nothing to complain about.
As I waited, it seemed like he was taking a long time but I didn’t know for sure.
Then he emerged from his car and walked up to mine. He handed me my license and said, “Next time drive the speed limit.”
I melted in gratitude and said, “Thank you.” I didn’t know if he had checked to see if Larry was an officer but I didn’t care. I didn’t have a fine and nothing on my record.
After I drove off, I slowly worked my way back into traffic and was surprised at my reaction. I drove below the speed limit. And I wanted to try to find him again on the road and shout, “See? I’m so grateful, I want to obey the law. Thank you so much for your mercy!”
I’ve never forgotten that experience primarily because it shouts to me of how growing more sanctified and thus obedient should come from gratitude for the mercy and grace God gives us. Just as I “knew” someone who could qualify me to avoid that ticket, our identity with Christ (because we know Jesus as our Savior) qualifies us to avoid the wrath and punishment for our sin that we deserve. And then out of the strong gratitude that we have not received what we deserve, we say, “Look, Lord! I’m so grateful I want to show it by obeying you.”
This is excerpted from Never Ever Be the Same (Leafwood Publishers) which offers Christians hope that they can change their destructive behavior through identifying their self-protective strategies and trusting God instead. It is authored by Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller and includes biblical principles, insightful stories, and helpful instruction. It has individual and group discussion questions.
Kathy Collard Miller and Larry Miller are speakers and authors. They have been married 44 years and Larry is a retired police lieutenant. The Millers live in Southern California, and have two grown children and one grandson. Visit them at www.LarryAndKathy.com. Kathy blogs at www.KathyCollardMiller.com.
Never Ever Be the Same is available at your local Christian bookstore and in both print and digital versions at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ITmLfy
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1BJz3lC
Shelly, dear friend, thanks so much for allowing me to share this story with your precious readers. I hope it encourages them with an even deeper sense of God’s grace. And please keep on sharing in your amazing blog. You are a gifted writer and communicator. I learn so much from you. Write on, friend!
Thank you for reminding us so often through what you say and what you write how incredible that grace is! And for always encouraging me so! Looking forward to being in LA this summer and hopefully, finally getting together for a long “catch-up”!