Food For Thought: The Yellow Light

A friend of mine, WB Stephen Hooper, sent me a version of this story--I modified it some.  Bro. Hooper has been Master of two lodges in my area, and incidently, the person I first asked about being a Mason.  I hope you enjoy it--it's very funny.  And I hope you think about it over the rush of the holiday season.

The light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating man behind him was furious and honked his horn, screaming at him in frustration, because he missed his chance to get through the intersection.

As he was still ranting at the car in front of him, he heard a tap on his window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered him to exit his vehicle with his hands up...

He took him to the police station where he was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. He was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with his personal effects.

The officer said, ''I'm very sorry for the mistake. You see, I pulled up behind you while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.  I noticed the Square & Compass emblem mounted on the car, the Knights Templar tail-light covers, the "2B1ASK1" bumpersticker, and the Shriner's fez in the back window, so naturally....I had assumed the vehicle was stolen.''

A couple years ago, the Grand Master of Illinois said a funny thing at a dinner I was attending.  He was encouraging the Masons there to order Master Mason plates offered by the State of Illinois because a portion of the annual renewal fee supports Masonic charities.  Anyway, he said that since he'd gotten the Master Mason license plates for his car, he'd become a much more considerate driver.  Everyone laughed because they knew exactly what he was talking about. 

It's easy to become impatient behind the wheel, especially around the holidays when everyone seems to be in such a hurry.  But remember what your car says about you, and more importantly, what your behavior says about those things you choose to display on your bumper.  Many of us use our bumpers to express those things that are important to us--organizations we belong to, what church we attend, and even our political leanings.  If you decide to do that, make sure you're a good example of what those organizations and symbols represent. 

If you're an angry driver, maybe you're not the best person to advertise . . . you know?

~TEC

P.S. Master Mason plates are offered by quite a few states, and they work much the same everywhere--they cost a little more, but a portion of the annual registration fee supports the charitable causes supported by your Grand Lodge.  Check with your Secretary of State to see if Master Mason plates are available in your state.