A Spiral of Kindness

When retaliation and getting even can become a default setting, Christians are called to a higher
standard, to walk in the way of Christ's love. 1st Peter 3 has these challenging words:
8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

We live in a culture where it does seem that the smallest act of mis-speaking can trigger retaliatory behavior.  The word "micro-aggression" is used to describe simple, inflammatory words or deeds that can give someone a license to react negatively.  But, we can do better - and believers in Christ are called to walk in love, recognizing that, as the Scriptures say, love covers a multitude of sins.  Jesus teaches about turning the other cheek, following a way of peace - possessing a compassionate attitude, but displaying a firm conviction consistent with our deeply-held faith.

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The Bible teaches us to be compassion and to have an attitude of kindness.  We recognize that
kindness can spiral and spread...Colossians 3 says:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

One night recently, Mike Powers, a man from Pennsylvania who travels in his job was in a hotel room struggling with some disturbing thoughts.  According to a story on the Jackson, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger website, he was watching the news thinking about all the horrible things going on in the world.  He said he started pouring his thoughts out in prayer.

He related that, "I explained to God all the things in the world that I’m afraid of and all the terrible things I keep seeing, and I begged him to please don’t give up on us, because there are so many people out there who are still going to do the right thing, their messages just aren’t heard, their voices are silent because there are people in the media and people in politics that just want to divide everyone."  He said, "I begged God, I said, 'Please let me know what I can do to help. Please let me be a messenger for whatever it is that you want people to know.'"

The next morning, Powers' boss sent him to a different location than originally planned.   As he was heading to an appointment in Batesville, MS, a Mississippi Highway Patrol Trooper named Jason Ales pulled him over and wrote him a routine speeding ticket.

Ales shared what happened next: "When I went back up there to take it to him, he asked how are things going with us down here in Mississippi with all the shootings going on with officers all over, and I said, 'They’re going, we’re maintaining, it’s rough and it’s kind of scary.'" Ales added, "He said, 'I'm keeping y'all in my prayers, we're pulling for y'all.' Then he asked, 'Can I give you something?'"

Powers gave Ales a bracelet, which was reportedly covered in Christian symbols, or pictures, as the photo indicates.  Ales said that it struck him that he had pulled Powers over to give him a ticket, but Powers had still expressed respect, so he voided his ticket. In a world where there has been so much negative sentiment expressed recently against law enforcement, Powers had done something kind.

Powers then took the money that would have been used to pay the speeding ticket and donated it to the Palmer Home for Children. They sent him a photo of several children holding a sign that says, "Thank you!"

Ales said that he placed the bracelet in his patrol car. He said, "I know that the bracelet is not my protector -- I know where my protection comes from -- but that bracelet gives me some reminder every day."

Ales is quoted as saying: "That is awesome – that makes me feel so humbled. God is alive, he’s alive and well, and he’s still in the blessing business."

Powers shared: "I’ve been struck with so much emotion in all of this. I didn’t do anything that warrants this much attention, just asked another human how his day was going, told him I supported him, and gave him a bracelet."

What a great story that apparently has touched a lot of people.

Oh, and by the way, Ales is black, Powers is white.  In these days where so many stories have become racialized, here is a great example of where people of different races reached out, found common ground, and were part of God's story on that particular day, a story that has now continued to proliferate through social media.

So, what do we take away from this story?  Well, first of all, we do need to appreciate the contributions of law enforcement to our society.  Think about the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect their communities.  In protecting other families, there are no doubt strains on their own families.  We can be challenged to take time to pray for and affirm those who serve and protect us.   

And, in this case, Mike Powers had a significant, God-given burden for those in law enforcement, and the Lord gave him an opportunity to connect with a police officer.  Just think about the orchestration of events - far more than mere coincidence - Trooper Ales and Mr. Powers had a divine appointment with one another.  Our willingness to be used of God can translate into significant God-moments, where we see His hand working to bring about His purposes.   He is at work all around us, and we can be careful to acknowledge where we are seeing Him or how we have seen the evidence of His presence.

Finally, Mike Powers received a financial blessing - Ales showed him grace, and spared him from a speeding ticket.  Powers donated the money to a children's home.  When we are blessed, we show our thankfulness by giving of ourselves or perhaps our resources, in order to give honor to the Lord.