As I looked at various pictures of September 11, 2001, the thought that keeps ringing through my head is “Everyday Moments.” People woke up just like every other day of their year. They prepared for work, some were eating breakfast, others just living their lives. I know a NYC firefighter there that day who had gotten off of work and drove home with his radio off. He arrived home only to find out from workers there that something had happened downtown. He immediately left to go back. As he arrived to the ruble, he heard to motion sensor alarms going off from under the ruble. He stood there that day knowing those alarms represented those he worked with and loved.
Everyday Moments
Men and women in uniform get up every day and choose to serve us. They get dressed just like you and me. Hot days, cold days, beautiful days, ugly days – the weather does not determine their dedication. Intermixed with whatever personal motivation they have, they each desire to serve others. They have each one dedicated himself or herself to sacrifice for others.
Bravely? Absolutely.
Courageous? Yes, that too.
Nearly two million first responders go about their lives every day choosing to serve us.
Does every person appreciate it? No, you and I both know that. They do as well. Especially police officers, many times people disrespect them. That does not change what they do though. In everyday moments, they do what they need to do to serve.
Honor Our Local Heroes
On Friday I had the privilege with several others to serve lunch to all the on-duty police officers, firemen, and ambulance personnel in Christian County, Missouri. Some tried multiple times to make it for lunch but never did as they were answering emergency calls. For the many who did, as men and women walked through from various agencies, I was once again reminded that they are everyday people. They have families, live in our community, and choose to serve.
On Friday, they left families and friends to go to work like every other day. If what happened in New York City and at the Pentagon happened in Christian County, Missouri last Friday or yesterday or today, our local heroes would choose to do the same. The ambulance house where we all had lunch would empty as they each would have jumped in vehicles, turned on lights and sirens, driven fast and safe toward danger, and serve. Each one of them would want to still go home at the end of the shift; however, the desire to go home would not be the main motivator as they drove toward danger. Instead, the desire to serve others, do one’s duty, and help those hurting would be what drives them.
Recently, in Ozark, our local heroes were shot at 83 times. Think about that friends. Eighty-three rounds were shot toward and at our local heroes as they sought to keep us safe. One of the local SROs who works for the Sheriff’s department was hit. They apprehended the man and arrested him without further incident.
Eighty-three times.
My lifelong friend Sergeant John Mattingly was shot in the line of duty in 2019. That day changed his life in so many ways. To be honest, ways that we as ordinary citizens can’t even imagine.
Everyday Moments
On this Sunday as we head off to church and some to work, we stop to recognize all of those who choose to live and sacrifice for us in everyday moments. We praise God for their sacrifice. We honor them for their work.
People just like you and me. They have families and those who love them. Each one of them desire peace and safety. Each one of them choose to make sacrifices so that we can live less burdened, safer, and happier. Yet, they sacrifice by taking on our burdens, risking their own safety, and threaten their own happiness by choosing to serve us.
On This Sunday, would you take time to pray for those in our community who choose to serve us?
Dear God,
We ask that you would please bless those who sacrifice for us today. Please keep them safe. Honor their sacrifice. Help their families while they are away serving us. As they do their jobs, I pray that you will enable them, provide them courage, and wisdom. Help them each make the split-second decisions that impact them and everyone around them. We pray that you will grant them your greatest blessings as they choose to serve those around them, even at risk of their own peril.
In Jesus name, Amen.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together