Police Officer's Prayer Lord, I ask for courage. Courage, to face and conquer, my own fear. Courage, to take me where Others will not go. And please Lord, through it all Be at my side.
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard.
Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Christian cop catching a guy from his own church
A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow.
Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform.
"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess."
Bob seemed uncertain. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit-just this once."
Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
Ouch. This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65."
The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again.
A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word.
Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
Dear Jack, I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it-a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free.
Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again.
A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had.
Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me.
And be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob
- Jack twisted around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road.
Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he, too,
pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife
and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care. Drive safely and be careful. author unknown
Now look at all he takes:
He takes... it in stride when people call him pig.
He takes... time to stop and talk to children.
He takes... your verbal abuse while giving you a ticket you really deserved.
He takes... on creeps you would be afraid to even look at.
He takes... time away from his family to keep you safe.
He takes... your injured child to the hospital.
He takes... the graveyard shift without complaint because it's his turn.
He takes... his life into his hands daily.
He takes... you home when your car breaks down.
He takes... time to explain why both your headlights have to work.
He takes... the job no one else wants--telling you a loved one has died.
He takes ... criminals to jail.
He takes... in sights that would make you cry. Sometimes he cries too, but he takes it anyway because someone has to.
If he is lucky, he takes retirement.
He takes... memories to bed each night that you couldn't bear for even one day.
Sometimes, he takes a bullet.
And yes, occasionally he may take a free cup of coffee.
Then one day he prays for all he has taken, that God takes him.
The officer stood and faced his God, Which must always
come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shinning,
Just as brightly as his brass.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my church have
you been true?"
The officer squared his shoulder and said, "No, Lord, I guess I aint,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was rough,
And sometimes I've been violent
Because the streets are tough.
But I never took a penny
That wasn't mine to keep..
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
when the bills got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept an unmanly tear.
I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around
except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so
grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't...I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne, where the saints often trod.
As the officer waited quietly
for the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Officer.
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"
Amen Please support your Local Police Force after all they do risk their lifes for us!
to see my Dispatcher page "Sarge" to see my "Tributes" page
First he takes ... the oath.
