Newsletter - August 2006

Dear Friends:

I’m going to share a true story in this letter of something that happened to a good friend of mine. As I heard her tell it, I could not help thinking of the fact that God is a God of justice and He is appalled and angry when injustice prevails in our world. As His messengers, it is important and appropriate for us to look for ways to ensure justice for those who are being treated unfairly. I think Kara’s story will give us a good example of someone who did just that!

It was a relief, finally, for Kara to get out of Wal-Mart on this brisk, cold, wintery Saturday afternoon. Shopping with six teenagers is always interesting and never inexpensive, but they did find everything needed including the new bedspread for Nikki’s room. It was time to head home where Sam would be waiting and dinner could be enjoyed.

Suddenly there was someone with a deep voice at her elbow.

"You need to come with me, ma’am,” he said. She had no idea what the problem was, but told the kids to wait for her in the car. She was sure she would be right back.

The burly man in a security uniform led her to a room at the back of the store. It was a windowless room with cement block walls and screens on which the surveillance cameras positioned throughout the store were playing their scans of the various departments in the store. It immediately became apparent to Kara that this man thought she had stolen something. Obviously, this could be cleared up in a moment’s time. She had her sales slip and everything was paid for.

“Did you put something in the plastic bag the bedspread is in?” he asked.

“Yes, I did,” Kara answered truthfully. “It was a ‘Bed-in-a-Bag”, but had been taken apart so that the sheets were lying on a shelf and were not included in the whole set as they should have been. I just put them back in the back that they came from in the first place.”

“We don’t sell ‘Bed-in-a-Bag,’” he stated categorically.

“But you do,” Kara protested. “If we can just walk to the aisle where I found this, you will see. And you will see that lots of the sets have been taken apart. The entire aisle is a mess.”

“You and I not going anywhere. But, you, lady, are going to jail.”

Jail? Kara smiled to herself. “Well, this will be a new experience!” she thought (You have to know her to believe this – this truly was her reaction!). But, at this point, she began to realize that what she believed to be a simple misunderstanding might not be cleared up as quickly as she originally thought it would be.

“I need to call my husband,” she said to the security officer.

“You can call him with your one call when you get to the county jail. An officer is on his way to take you there.”

Knowing that there were six teenagers waiting outside and, by now, shivering in the cold, Kara would not take his gruff response as an acceptable answer. So, she pulled out her cell phone, quickly dialing Sam.

“Honey, I have a problem here at Wal-Mart,” she said calmly, “They think I stole something. Would you please come and get the kids? They are waiting for me outside in the parking lot.”

“I’ll be right there to help you,” Sam responded. “Where can I find you?”

“No, you can’t do anything to help me. It looks like I’m going to jail, but I will be able to clear things up eventually. Just come and get the kids so they aren’t left waiting any longer.”

He agreed and she hung up before the security officer could interfere with the call. She knew Sam would come right away, so at least she didn’t have to worry about the kids for now.

The security officer seemed to enjoy the power he had over her, though, and wanted to let her know that she was in a great deal of trouble, that jail would be no picnic, and that she would be there at least until Monday because no judge was going to come in on the weekend to deal with some suburban housewife’s problem.

Always one to make the most of every situation, Kara wondered what kind of people she would meet at jail. One thing she knew for sure was that she would make it her goal to make all of them her friends by time Monday morning came.

After Kara had been waiting for nearly three hours, a female Wal-Mart employee walked past her in order to get into the store safe located at the other end of the room. On her way out, she looked at Kara, who was nicely dressed and obviously relaxed, and said, “What are you doing here?” Kara looked at her name tag which read “Adele Adams, Store Manager”

“This man thinks I stole something,” she answered. “But I didn’t.”

When given an opportunity to explain, she told Adele how she had put the sheets back into the “Bed-in-a-Bag” set, that she had been observed on the security cameras, and that it was assumed that she was stealing the sheets. Adele responded quietly to Kara, but indicated that the security company was an entirely separate entity from the store and, therefore, she had no authority to overrule their decisions. The manager knew that they did, in fact, have “Bed-in-a-Bag” product, which the security officer still denied. She also acknowledged that the bedding aisle was often in disarray and she could see how the product pieces might have become separated.

“The problem is, though, that this security company has a really good track record. Virtually everyone they nab for shoplifting goes to jail. I may not be able to prevent your arrest.”

A short while later, a Michigan State Police trooper arrived to escort her to her weekend lodgings at the county lock-up. This was a far cry from what Kara had expected when she cheerfully headed off on her shopping expedition that afternoon!

Adele reappeared, “Officer, can I speak to you for a moment?”

They walked out of the room together, and a few minutes later, Adele reappeared alone.

“You are free to go,” she said to Kara with a slight smile. The security officer looked with incredulity at the manager and angrily threw his pen across the room and into the block wall.

Kara, with her usual calm demeanor, put on her coat, picked up her purchases, and walked out to her car with head held high. Within seconds, she was speed dialing the house, “Hi, Honey,” she said cheerily when Sam answered, “I’m on my way home!”

As we think of Kara’s story, two questions come to mind:

First, have you ever been accused of something you did not do?

All of us have at some time or another, but usually not with consequences as significant as going to jail. Justice is important to God, though, as the Book of Proverbs tells us,

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent – the Lord detests them both. (Proverbs 17:15)

If we are being accused of something we did not do or if our motives are being misinterpreted, our best recourse is to pray for God to give us an opportunity to shed light on the situation. Then when He opens that door, we can speak the truth calmly and with confidence and always in love, even to our accusers. Jesus was our perfect example when He answered with authority those who accused Him of working on Satan’s behalf.

Then, we must remind ourselves that, while not always accomplished in this world, justice will eventually prevail. From Genesis 8:25 until today, we can say with Abraham, “Will not the judge of all the earth do right?” Yes, He will. We may not see immediate results of His workings of justice, but in His perfect time, we will.

Second, do you know of someone who is right now being treated unfairly?

God stands for truth and condemns those who falsely accuse. He also condemns those of us who stay silent and let unwarranted accusations stand without speaking up to defend those who perhaps, in their circumstances, cannot defend themselves.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)

God does not give us the privilege of ignoring innocent people who are accused of acts or crimes that they did not commit or, on a smaller scale, even people in our workplaces or our homes who are treated unfairly. We cannot plead ignorance. We are told to speak up for them; we must act on their behalf and make sure that the truth is heard.

The store manager rescued Kara from an unjust situation. She could have rationalized just letting the security company handle it. After all, it was their issue, not hers. But as she observed her, Adele saw that Kara seemed truthful and innocent. Her story made sense. Something in Adele compelled to speak up and, in doing so, justice was served.

Do we know anyone at work, in our homes, in our neighborhoods, or on the streets who is being mistreated or maligned? Knowing that God stands for justice and that He has made us His agents of justice in this world, we must act with courage to defend those who are wrongly treated. In doing so, we are bringing God’s light and love to those within our reach.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, but keep your eyes open for those who need you to speak up for them. God will honor your obedience with His blessings.

Spread the joy!

Blessings!

Bev

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