Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
*disclosure*
This "trial" I'm about to share with you is meant to be light-hearted. Yes, I'm giving you permission to laugh at my pain if you must...just have a tad bit of compassion please. ;)
I'll just shoot it straight:
I went to jail.
Yes, I am now a convict. Cold-hearted criminal. I have a record, ya know. Of what, I'm not exactly sure. But I do know it costs a lot of money.
It all began 3 years ago. May 19 at 5:27am. I was moving back to Louisiana from Colorado and had already been on the road for 4 hours. I came upon a snowstorm and all of a sudden there was a car on the side of the road. I switched lanes quickly, but without using my blinker. Then came the blue lights...the whole works. The worst part is that my insurance had just renewed, so I didn't have my new card with me...so that, my friends, is what I call, "BUSTED". Luckily, the officer told me if I sent in my proof of insurance with a plead, that they would drop my charges.
So I did.
I never recieved a confirmation letter, and I called and called trying to confirm that they had gotten my plead, with no answer or return call. So I just assumed/hoped/thought it was all taken care of.
And then I went to Africa and forgot about the whole thing. I moved on with my life, ya know. I just figured if something had gone wrong that they would let me know or send me a bill...or something...
Fast forward to March 16, 2015. I was running some errands for my boss, heading to wal-mart for laundry detergent. I saw an officer so I followed my p's and q's, but low and behold here came those blue lights a flashin'.
"Here in Colorado we use our blinkers 100 ft before our turn."
He said I did a good job using my blinker in the round-about, but when I was switching lanes to go to wal-mart, it was not on for 100ft. But, he's going to cut me some slack and just give me a seatbelt ticket. Whew!
Yet when he comes back, he tells me to step to the back of my car...okay...then to turn around and put my hands behind my back...I am confused, but I do it...and when I felt that metal on my wrist I speedy quick turned around and asked him what the heck he was doing! He then informs me that there's a warrant out for my arrest in Aurora...and it all comes back to me. Welp, my charge had not been dropped after all.
I tried to tell that officer that he could not take me to jail but I don't guess he believed me. I also asked if we could talk about it, but he just said after he put the cuffs on me. He also kept asking me if there was anything sharp on me that could poke or stab him. I probably would have laughed at that if I had not been crying so hard.
He cuffed me and put me in the back of his cop car and off we go to Garfield county jail. At least I had drank a good cup of mountain mama coffee earlier that morning.
To make a long story short, I remained in jail about 4 hours, and I cried the entire time. I tried to stop but I just couldn't. I tried to sing like Paul and Silas...but I couldn't. I tried to think positively, like maybe I'm in here for a reason...to make a difference in someone's life! But nope. I just cried.
I used my one phone call and got in touch with a bondsman who got in touch with my boss who bailed me out.
So there you have it folks, my latest trial. It was actually pretty traumatic for me. Not only that, but that same week I got an infection and had to go to the doctor, my phone quit working, my boss was giving me less and less hours...everything was falling apart. I went to court and the judge ordered that all my fines be paid within 10 days. Between bail, tickets, court fees and gas money it completely broke the bank for me. I literally do not even have one dollar. This is a whole new level of trusting in the Lord for me. I know He is faithful and will provide...but it's hard when you look at your bills and then at your money (or lack thereof) and it doesn't quite add up. I get one bill paid and another comes in. I'm sure some of you have been there before.
I heard a song on the radio that really hit home with me. It says, "All we have is a promise like a thread. Holding us, keeping us from fraying at the edge..". I realized that the ONLY that had been holding me together is the one who created me. In the midst of this trial, God has been right here with me...speaking to me and encouraging me to keep going, keep trusting, keep holding onto Him, and to remain steadfast.
Since then, I've gone to the Aurora courthouse and gotten everything straightened out and now working at an elementary school as a paraprofessional. I am so thankful for each person who has loved and supported me through this crazy time! And esp. for those who have given me free food. ;)
For those of you reading this who are going through trials that are not so funny, I encourage you to remain steadfast to the Lord. He is on your side! Or if you've never let the Lord help you with the trials of your life, maybe this is a good time to give Him a chance. He doesn't promise to take away them away, but he does promise to those who love Him the crown of life for those who stand the test.
Love your little jail bird,
Camille
