When you think of “police officer,” what or who do you visualize? Someone in a dark blue uniform with a ticket book in hand? Or is it the guy decked out in riot gear spraying the “innocent” protesters with pepper spray?
It’s no secret that our media loves to portray them in a less-than-desireable light, but those of us married to them understand the whole picture…
Each one of them are more than just a cop. They are human with sympathetic hearts.
I’ve known my man to pull to the side of the road and help a turtle cross, change a weary traveler’s tire, shop with underprivileged children, and collect money to help support the family of a fallen comrade.
He’s the guy behind the badge whispering a prayer for a wayward teen, or carrying stranded people one by one out of a flooded mobile home park.
He’ll work late into the night, even pulling a double shift if he must, to maintain order in a volatile situation, or will sit with a terrified family at the hospital during their darkest hour.
Without fanfare or thanks, my man has provided gifts for those in need, and has sat on the front porch with an old timer listening to stories of days gone by.
He’s always honored to escort a funeral of a soldier or a friend, hold the hand of a lost child, or counsel a drug junkie that needs the love of Jesus.
In the past several months, I have seen him visit the jail where a young, mixed-up girl sits. He’s her only friend…someone who will listen to her sordid tale and offer fatherly wisdom. Bet you won’t hear that on CNN.
He leads a Bible study for fellow officers and is a deacon in his church.
He’s a husband, a father, and a grandfather – a cut above the rest.
I guess you could say he’s more than just a cop – more than what’s portrayed on any t.v. show or in any book. He’s Christ’s servant, as we all should be, fulfilling these simple tasks:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me….Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did to me.” Matthew 25:35-36, 40.
So, the next time we are tempted to see someone as just another…., chances are, they are more than what the eye beholds.
God bless!
Kristi
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you Kristi for writing this. It is exactly what I have been thinking about for the past week. They are people just like anyone else. God bless…..
I’ve met them both: the ‘good Police Officers’, and the not- so- good. But your husband, Kristi, is an Angel; with which God has blessed us….. Sent directly from Heaven. God Bless you Both; and Thank God for you Both. In Him, Margaret
You’re so welcome, Kristen! I think the public in general, forgets that they are just people doing a job.
Thanks, Margaret. You’re right…there are good and bad cops, but yes, I am truly blessed!
Well done and well said, my sister.
Kristi, your words are always incredibly thought provoking and they seriously humble me by their honesty and emotion. I sincerely appreciate you and your willingness to share with so many. Thank you for what you do; I feel blessed just to know that there are others who think and feel the same way I do about my LEO.
Thanks, Mike.
Thanks, Angela. Stay the course, sister and stand by your man!
Thank you! And you gave me a topic for a blog post myself. I’d like to see as many bloggers as possible post something in support of our officers…..they truly don’t deserve the press they’re getting, and those of us who are married to then or have officers in our family have been deeply hurt as well.
Awesome! You’re exactly right. Whatever is hurled on them, always filters down to us. We’re in this thing together, so we take it all very personal. God bless you, sister.
I’ve made a blog post about this and am encouraging other bloggers to link up in my comments…. Thanks for starting the ball rolling on this!
http://www.jellodoesntnail.blogspot.com/2011/12/thoughtful-thursday-cops-lives-and.html