Jim Daly

Daly Focus Blog

FOTF logo
  • Home
  • Family & Home
  • Current Events
  • Focus News
  • About

Cops Surprise Accused Criminal… with Grace

 When was the last time God prompted you to go out of your way to help someone?

That’s what happened to Ryan Willard and Duane Fields, two West Virginia law enforcement officers whose response to a typical shoplifting call will inspire you.

According to a report from The Charleston Daily Mail, Willard and Fields arrived at a local K-Mart to look into allegations a young woman had tried to steal from the store.

What they found in the small backroom went beyond the cold, hard facts of the case, however. There they found a young mom with her two small daughters.

She was accused of stealing diapers, rash cream and some clothes for her girls.

“She didn’t take anything to benefit herself,” said Officer Willard.

It turns out the woman is going through a divorce and trying to make do without her soon to be ex-husband’s help. The policemen could have simply gone through their work routine. They would have been right to do so.

Instead, though, after fulfilling their job duties, the two men bought the mom the items she had attempted to shoplift. They said they wanted to help. Officer Fields is quoted as being inspired to this good deed, in part, out of his desire to “live a good, Christian life and help people when they need help.”

That young mom certainly needed help. She was probably overwhelmed by the difficulties of her situation. I can’t imagine what went through her heart and mind as those officers gave her some practical help – and the hope she desperately needed.

We know there are times for tough love and hard lessons. But there’s also a time to extend grace. The trick comes in knowing the difference and blending and balancing. For that, we can trust the Holy Spirit to give us discernment. But we also have to be willing, like these two officers, to step outside of our daily routine and go out of our way for someone else.

Instead of just looking at life as a legalist, how much more challenging – and beautiful – to go through our days thinking, “How can I bless someone in need?”

Photo credit: Craig Cunningham of the Charleston Daily Mail

 

Sign up for my weekly e-newsletter

Topics: Current Events Tags: news August 14, 2013 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Related Posts

  • Jim Daly Statement Opposing the Supreme Court Nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson
  • Focus on the Family President Jim Daly Hails Supreme Court Decision Blocking Mandate for Large Employers
  • Veterans Day ’21: Honor to Whom Honor is Due

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Jim-Daly President of Focus on the Family
Jim Daly
with Paul Batura

Posts by Jim

Don’t Give Up: Raising a Child with Autism

Seeds into Flowers

Finding Hope in the Messiah

Topics

  • Current Events
  • Family and Home
  • Focus Events
  • Uncategorized

Daly Focus

Jim-Daly Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.

Jim Daly Blog

Home
About
Posting Guidelines
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
FAQs

Connect with Me

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSS