I just discovered I'm a V.I.P. (Very Important Person).
Handicapped Parking spaces is one of the best ideas Americans ever came up with. It's the least we could do for those who have a hard time getting around. It really torques my engine to see people without handicap stickers steal the parking space so they don't have to walk a few more yards to get to a store opening. Makes me want to call the police myself. But I don't. However, that's really not what I want to rant about today--it's the Preferred Parking spaces awarded to people like me.
It's one thing to give preferential treatment to folks in need, or even people who pay for the privilege. I'm not even against special parking for doctors, clergy, and employee of the month. But to give preferential treatment to drivers who own more fuel-efficient cars? Seriously, tax credits are doled out to some corporations, malls, cities, and townships which put up signs next to Handicapped Parking signs to designate Preferred Parking status for fuel-efficient vehicles.
Where are we headed with this? Are we coming to a time when we'll give fuel-efficient vehicles their own highways? their own lanes on the highways? I can't wrap my mind around the rationale for someone with no other passengers in their Toyota Prius being awarded front-door convenience while making a harried mother herd her five grandchildren across a quarter-mile parking lot to go grocery shopping. And all because the young mother carrying a diaper bag, juggling a baby-carrier, and attempting to hold hands with her other four kids, dared drive a ten-year-old Chevy Astro?
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you." Romans 12:3
Today, there are so many things in society that create division among people. Elevating someone without merit breeds pride and judgmental attitudes. God requires humility--not exaltation. He's not looking on the outside of who we are, what we own, wear, or drive. He looks to the heart and attitude we have. There's just something wrong about giving special favor to a person for driving a "green mobile". Where will it end? Before long we'll have special seats in restaurants if we weigh ten pounds less than someone else. Or go to the head of the check-out if we purchase broccoli instead of Oreo cookies. It's no wonder folks today seem entitled to everything...without doing anything to earn it. Preferred Parking for Low-Emitting Fuel-Efficient Vehicles! Don't you think it's a bit ridiculous? selahV
