On a spring day in Heidelberg 490 years ago, the reformer Martin Luther said — in effect — that we can’t determine God’s disposition toward us from the weather and stuff that happens. So take heart, you who are tornadoed and flooded; and remain humble, we who are not. (Heidelberg Disputations, 19 & 20)

But good weather was on our side when I walked out of the fine downtown restaurant, Contessa, after an exceedingly fine if perhaps too long lunch with a dear friend — to find a parking ticket on my motorcycle across the street.

Only then did I learn why the police SUV was there — blocking Contessa’s front door. And the most pleasurable spring air and sunshine unwrinkled everything.

It put a smile on the face of the young waitress whom I asked to decipher my offense. Poet Robert Browning couldn’t have described how the sun graced the countenance of police officer Sandy VanEman who appeared to pleasantly explain it. Brennan Companies president, Michael Brennan provided both context for the citation and solved it. He could be appointed peace-making diplomat in the coming U.S. administration.

Mea culpa. I was the worst of the bunch. God, keep smiling on us with such good weather; maybe there’s even hope for me.