EVEN DEATH COULDN’T CANCEL THIS TICKET
A New Zealand woman suffered a heart attack in a grocery store parking lot and was rushed to the hospital. Her heart briefly stopped, and she was clinically dead for several minutes. Returning to her car, she discovered she’d been issued an $80 parking ticket.
But the story gets more unbelievable. She contacted the third-party company that issued the ticket, explained what had happened, and asked for leniency. The company reduced the fine to $30. Grocery store employees were so appalled by the company’s response that they paid the remaining fine themselves. (Source: Stuff, August 17, 2026.)
Imagine such a scenario. Somewhere along the way grace and mercy were apparently left in the parking lot.
Thankfully, God doesn’t treat us that way. Ephesians 2:4 declares, “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.”
Ever feel you’re not good enough to deserve God’s grace? You’re right. Grace is undeserved favor, freely given, not earned by our goodness.
Consider Manasseh, a terribly wicked king. “He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums” (2 Kings 21:6). Yet his story didn’t end there.
After the king of Assyria captured and imprisoned him, Manasseh finally humbled himself and cried out to God. Second Chronicles 33:12–13 tells that he sought the Lord’s favor, prayed to Him, and was forgiven. Even this deeply sinful king found mercy when he humbled himself and turned to God.
Perhaps you’ve thought, I’ve done too many bad things for God to forgive me. Remember Manasseh. His story reminds us that no past is so shameful and no sin so great that a repentant heart is beyond God’s mercy.
Grace doesn’t mean our choices don’t matter. It means our failures don’t have to be the final word. When we humbly turn to God, His mercy is greater than our worst mistakes.
A parking ticket may survive a medical emergency, but no one who sincerely turns to God is beyond His grace.
PONDER:
When have you struggled to extend grace to someone who didn’t seem to deserve it?
How does Manasseh’s story deepen your appreciation for God’s mercy?
PURSUE: Read and meditate on 2 Chronicles 33. Notice how Manasseh’s story moves from rebellion to repentance and restoration.
Lord God, thank You for the grace I could never earn and the mercy I could never deserve. Help me receive Your forgiveness with gratitude and extend that same grace to others.
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Photo courtesy of Outlier Media