Stop Us If You've...

            One of Billy Graham’s favorite illustrations was related by his staffer, Charles Riggs, to volunteer counselors for the Little Rock crusade.

            While driving through a small Southern town sometime ago, Billy was stopped by a traffic cop.

            “You were driving 40 in a 30-mile zone,” charged the policeman.

            “Sorry,” replied Graham, “I am guilty.  How much is the fine?”

            “It’ll be $10,” said the officer, “but you’ll have to appear in court.”

            The policeman escorted the “culprit” down town to a barber shop, where the judge, a justice of the peace, was plying his trade of barbering.  The judge motioned for Graham to be seated and proceeded to finish a haircut for the client who happened to be in the barber chair at the time.

            Then the barber laid aside his clippers, stepped over to a table and, assuming the full dignity of his office as JP, called the court to order.

            The policeman gave his testimony and the judge asked the defendant, “Guilty or not guilty?”

            “Guilty,” replied Graham.

            “That’ll be $10,” replied the judge, “a dollar a mile for every mile you’re making above the limit.”

            Graham pulled his billfold out of his pocket and was about to pay the fine when the judge saw the name “Billy Graham” on the ticket.  “Billy Graham?” he mused.  “Don’t I know you?”

            “I certainly hope not!” responded Billy.

            Then it dawned on the JP.  “Are you the evangelist Billy Graham?” he asked.  And on having this confirmed, he turned out to be a Graham fan who had been a regular listener to the Graham broadcasts for years.

            As the judge warmed up, Graham slipped his billfold back into his pocket and relaxed.

            But soon the demeanor of the judge was stern again.  “you have violated the law,” he said, “and the penalty must be paid.”

            Sorrowfully Billy brought out his money again.  But the judge motioned for him to put his money back into his pocket.  “The fine must be paid,” he said, “but I am going to pay it for you.”  And he took $10 out of his own pocket and attached it to the ticket.  Then he took Billy out and bought him a steak dinner.

            “That,” says Billy, “is how our heavenly Father deals with a penitent sinner!”