Serve And Protect

When we were living in Montana our oldest son attended a summer basketball day camp.  They all received basketball shirts with the name of the man who ran the camp on the front.  A few weeks later I had a vivid nightmare in which our son was killed when he was hit by a car.  He was wearing that shirt in the dream, and it was so real to me that I hid the shirt and never let him wear it again.  He is in his late 40's and still has that shirt tucked away in his memory tub. 

For some reason at the time, I thought that if I did not let him wear that shirt, the nightmare would not play out and I would save my son from harm or even death. Our son has now been a police officer for over twenty years and I have had to learn to pray for him daily, and let God walk with him as he serves his city.  I can't hide his shirt or uniform and keep him safe. 

This past week was National Police Week.  In the past few years we have seen  a great deal of negative press and public feelings about the police and how they do their jobs.  Just like in any occupation, there are bad police officers that do not serve well.  Mostly, though, there are good officers who just want to go home when their long days are done.  They do what they can to protect the people while also protecting themselves.  Sometimes they get it wrong, but mostly they get it right. 

We have been at the receiving end of their call to duty.  When living in central Minnesota we received a phone call late one night and we were told by a policeman on the phone that a man from our church had threatened his wife and was "coming to kill the pastor".  They police would get to our home as soon as possible........and they did.  We put all 5 kids at the time on the floor of our bedroom and Joel loaded his 22 rifle just in case.  We prayed and watched out the windows for any sign of this man until the police arrived.  The police felt it was a big enough threat that they helped us get clothes and other things we needed and then escorted us with guns drawn to our car.  Our kids were told to lay flat and keep their heads down as we drove out of our garage and down our driveway.  When we were escorted out of town we noticed five police cars at the end of our long driveway.  A few stayed behind and three followed us for about 30 miles until they felt we were a safe distance away.  We were so grateful for the police that night.  I actually could share a few more circumstances we have found ourselves in where we had to call or involve the police, but I won't bore you with the details!

Today I am giving thanks for the officers who do their jobs well, serve the people in their communities and literally put their lives on the line.  Our prayers are with you.  Especially you, Matt, Michelle, and Steve.