The following true story took place in the 1990s but the godly principles still apply today.
Patty was a petite mother of three who showed that if you have the faith of a mustard seed, you can say, mountain move and it will move. I felt too intimidated to mention God in the courtroom. Besides, I thought my right to travel case law would persuade the judge to find me innocent.
Two years ago I started going to constitutional rallies and became convinced that I was free. I didn't need to ask for a state privilege to travel. I let my state driver's license and car registration expire. Then I put on vehicle plates that said, "I'm Free." The police hated my plates. They stopped me again and again. The police knew the routes I took so they would lie in wait for me. After a few months of flying the, "I'm free" plates I had a big stack of citations. The court consolidated all the misdemeanors and scheduled a trial date.
I started running scared. They could jail me for over a year if I was found guilty on all counts. What would my three children do without their mom? To make matters worse, my husband was currently serving a 30-day sentence in another county jail for similar driving violations.
The night before the trial, I called the pastor at the Embassy of Heaven in desperation. He told me what I didn't want to hear. "The Constitution won't save you, Patty, the judge won't even hear that right to travel case law. He reminded me there is only one able to save and destroy and that we must not lean on our own understanding. He urged me to cast my cares upon Him for He cares for me.
Well I politely thanked the pastor and just hung up the phone. Maybe he believed, but I was doubtful. If I were going to win, I needed good solid material like the case law I cited in my brief.
The next day at trial the judge wouldn't even accept my carefully prepared legal papers. I was totally frustrated and dumbstruck. It seemed futile to say anything.
At 9:00 a.m. the trial began. By 10:30 a.m. I was being hauled away in handcuffs. I'd been found guilty of the charges and sentenced to 240 days in the county jail. I never felt such deep despair. Here we were in the land of the free and both my husband and me were serving time in jail for traveling without papers. I uttered a desperate prayer for help as they led me into the booking area.
"Step over there and get your fingerprints," commanded the jailer. "I cannot do that, I said, "I'm one of God's kids." They didn't push the matter telling me they would just book me later.
Then they ordered me to take off my clothes. "I cannot do that, I'm one of God's kids. I don't even belong here." The jailer spoke up, "If you won't do it voluntarily, we'll do it for you." He called over a couple female jailers and they untied my shoes. I let them take my clothes without my help or resistance.
Another jailer escorted me to the cell. "But I'm one of God kids, they must have made a mistake," I told her. She didn't answer but just motioned me to go inside. I plopped down on the bunk and began non-stop prayer, feeling a closeness to Jesus I'd never had time for on the outside.
At 4:00 p.m. a jailer yelled to me, "Roll up." I was stunned. Now what were they doing? Moving me to solitary confinement, I wondered.
By 6:00 p.m. I was at home having dinner with my three children. The One who is able to save or destroy had set me free. I served only six hours of a 240 day sentence. What was the reason? I'm not sure, I don't lean on my own understanding. I just rejoice and praise God for what He has done.
Wake up and repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
