KINDNESS
concession stands where they were selling snacks and sodas,” James recalls. “That seemed a little crazy, when we were in the best place to see the best part of the show. But I never said a word like that. I just thought, No, I’m gonna of the airshow, the Italian let him enjoy today and just Frecce Tricolori performed do what he’d like. I was repthe daunting Pierced Heart resenting the U.S. Air Force maneuver. Of ten airplanes, by taking these Dutch people five would fly left and four to an American base for the right, making a heart shape show. I wanted to give them with smoke. The tenth plane the best impression.” would loop back and fly This wasn’t typical for through the heart like an James. His wife, Shelly, arrow. To ramp up the drama, states, “If it had been me the “arrow” would streak and our kids, he would’ve through the bottom where handed us cash and told us the others were crossing. to get it ourselves.” That day, the “arrow” But that day, James chose plane struck one of the five kindness. He went with his planes making the left side friend to the concession stands. of the heart. The pilot died After getting sodas, they on impact. The plane he hit sat on a bench quite far back knocked into another plane, and saw the initial exploand both crashed onto the sion. “I didn’t think it was runway. The first plane real for a split second,” says exploded into the crowd James. “They fake explosions where James and Ton sometimes for drama and my had been. Yet incredibly, first thought was that’s what the two were nowhere happened. I quickly realized near harm’s way. No, that’s not what happened.” Only minutes before Chaos ensued. People the Frecce Tricolori were critically burned. They performance was to screamed and ran as ambustart, Ton became lances rushed to help. In the thirsty. “He wanted end, 70 people died due to to go back to the the crash. But James, Ton
Saves a Life | Lacey Stecker
J
ames Stecker, Ton te Sligte, and two other members of the Amsterdamsche Club voor Zweefvliegen (Amsterdam Club for Glider Flying) excitedly pulled into the parking lot of Ramstein Air Base. They were going to see one of the best air shows in Europe. After arranging a place to meet at the end of the show, James and the others split up to look at displays and watch flight demonstration teams perform. After several hours, James and Ton found a place to sit right by the runway, front and center. Near the end
and the other members of the glider club survived. James did something out of character that day, showing kindness in a small way. Often, we have a similar feeling. We think about helping someone with their hands full, or giving money to a homeless person, but then don’t. It’s out of my way. They’ll spend it on drugs. We give excuses to the voice in our heads. The Bible speaks to such situations. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12, NIV). I challenge you to stop. Help someone carry their things or give a dollar and possibly change a life. I can’t promise it will save you from an accident, but it might make you feel good to do something God asks. It might make another person’s day. Kindness has a ripple effect. One small act by you could be life-changing, or, as in James Stecker’s case, lifesaving. God can make a friend thirsty and quietly ask you to show kindness. Listen to that voice. You could help save a life for Him. Courtesy Lacey Stecker
James Stecker
Lacey Stecker is a freshman at Union College studying communication. 8 OUTLOOKMAG.ORG MAY 2020
