How Can We Say Thank-You?

My family experienced quite a scare this week.  Our son-in-law, who is a law enforcement officer for North Carolina, was seriously injured in the line of duty chasing down a suspect.  As a result of his efforts to uphold the law and keep the public safe, he will now be laid up for several weeks (possibly months) recovering from his injuries.  During that time, he will be forced to give up all his vacation and sick leave time before any benefits can be realized from the workman's compensation arena.  Even then, his compensation will only be a fraction of his normal wages and his family has been thrown into financial hardship as a result.

Now here's the thing:  this young man has dedicated his life (and laid it on the line multiple times) for the purpose of protecting the public and upholding the laws of the state in which he lives.  He has been cursed at, spit upon, called derogatory names, had things thrown in his face, maligned by drunkards and drug addicts (as well as irresponsible sober citizens), and now even seriously hurt by a criminal suspect who walked away from the incident unscathed.  All this because our son-in-law chooses to believe that the greater good of mankind is worthy of his dedication and the risks he accepts each day as he slips into his uniform and heads out the door of his home.  Matt is not alone.  Each and every day dedicated men and women choose to put themselves in harm's way in order to serve others.  Some become fire fighters, others law enforcement officers, many are military servants, and others serve as first responders.  They don't seek praise and don't consider themselves heroes.  In addition, most of them receive pitiful compensation in return for their dedication.  Each year, hundreds of these fine human beings give their very lives for what they believe in.  How many names appear at Ground Zero in New York?  How many names cover the Viet Nam Memorial Wall?  How many headstones mark the places of fallen military men and women in Arlington Cemetery and other cemeteries across our nation?

As average citizens, we need to become fully aware that without the selfless dedication to duty and the willingness of these public servants and military personnel, our lives would be at risk and our peaceful existence called into serious question.  Can we really afford to continue to overlook the needs of these individuals and simply expect they will continue to risk life and limb on our behalf?  Every day, I see reports on the news broadcasts of homeless American military veterans sleeping on the pavement in some of our largest cities.  They go hungry and without needed medical care, and no one seems to remember the years of their active service in defense of our country.  Policemen and women are injured and killed, fire fighters perish in raging infernos while they attempt to save others, even first responders often come under gun fire as they try to give aide to injured people.  Folks, we need to sit up and pay attention here!  These fine people make our lives safer and more peaceful each and every day.  We must not ignore their needs when in service and duty they become injured or even killed.  We have a moral, ethical, and spiritual responsibility to ensure they are well cared for and that their families do not suffer as a result of their dedication.

You might be asking how you can make a difference.  Sometimes the simplest gesture can turn a bad day into a blessing for someone.  Have you ever thought of paying for a policeman's meal at the restaurant?  What about a heart-felt "thank you" and an appreciative hand shake when you meet a firefighter on the street?  Could you be the one to take a homeless veteran to a hot meal and purchase him or her a new pair of shoes?  I know of a group of ladies who spend time crocheting plastic sleep mats out of used grocery bags and distribute them to the homeless in their community.  The possibilities are endless, and are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to express gratitude for the service of others.

Showing kindness and appreciation brings its own special reward to the one who does it.  Such expressions of gratitude do not escape God's sight.  He is pleased with every effort to extend love and encouragement to those who serve us in such selfless ways.  I pray that each one of us will take the opportunity today to thank a public servant in a meaningful way.  Oh, by the way, when was the last time you said "thank you" to your pastor and his wife?  Maybe an invitation to Sunday dinner is in store; perhaps a card of appreciation sent through the mail ; maybe a platter of home-baked cookies anonymously placed on his desk at church... let your imagination run wild. 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13)