The Price of Ignorance (04/13/2026)

Yesterday, as I sat and prayed at the start of my day, I thought the weather might be my greatest danger or at least inconvenience. I checked the forecast and found that while I was due to be out and about for church was supposed to be uneventful, so I felt confident about how the morning would go. And sure enough, no rain on my walk into church or back to my car. I headed to lunch with parish friends after church, but parking was an issue. There was only one spot in the downtown block. I considered myself lucky to have gotten it. That was until the waiter asked if anyone at our table drove a white SUV because it just got a ticket. And sure enough, it was me; it turns out the reason that spot was open was that it was a no-parking spot and my ignorance cost me $25.

I’ve lived in my small, Wisconsin city for over 10 years and visited it for over 30 years. I was pretty confident that I knew the downtown, especially that stretch of Main Street. If asked I could tell you the names of the merchants and probably do a fairly accurate sketch of the city’s Commons Park. Of course, that sketch would not include the one, mid-block no-parking space by a fire hydrant. I realized today that I didn’t know everything I thought I knew.

This isn’t the first time in my life that my ignorance has cost me. But I’m learning that life’s learning curve is quite steep. I thought I had made it far enough along the path that I should be on coast, but obviously I was wrong. And so, on my drive home after breakfast, as I talked to myself in the car, I mentioned, “You gotta pay more attention, girl!” and then I added, “Right after you pay for the ticket.”

Later in the day, my husband drove me to the grocery store to get a few items just in case it started to rain when I came out with my bags. As we drove past the scene of my ignorance, we slowed down. There were no “No Parking” signs, but there was a fire hydrant which I had missed earlier as well as a yellow curb. My husband told me he hadn’t noticed them before. I’m not sure if that was 100% true or just 100% loving reassurance. We checked it out again on our way home, and sure enough, the hydrant and yellow curb were not transitory mirages. And we both went home feeling poorer but less ignorant.

Last night before bed, the LORD and I spoke about my latest immersion in humility and my lack of awareness of what’s around me. I sought His help with the later and gave him thanks for the former because I realize that humility is my friend if I wish to walk in my savior’s footsteps.

As we journey, may we all seek awareness of what is around us realizing that there are subtle signs we should be noticing.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.