The loud voices in the public square like to try and carry the day with arguments that Law Enforcement should be defunded, that Law Enforcement are too aggressive, that Law Enforcement aren’t really needed. After reviewing the notes from children I realized, sometimes adults just make things too complicated. 

These children thoughtfully drew pictures and in their precious maturing handiwork wrote sentiments like, “I feel safer when you are here,” and “thank you for keeping us safe” and “you are courageous” and “I want to be a Police Officer” or “thank you for the sacrifices you make for us.” 

I knew that children’s notes were gold but reviewing these took my breath away. The heart of a child is what we in America need to be listening to a little more. 

Passing off bundles of these cards to Officers in different departments was like handing off the Olympic torch. A holy grail. A nugget of hope. A precious commodity. They were delighted with even a few precious notes.

No one is justifying the horror that took place with Tyre Nicholas at the hands of several Police Officers in Memphis, Tennessee. The galley of outstanding Officers throughout our nation are still in shock, and embarrassed at the bad actions of a few. They know, like the majority of Americans know, what unfolded is not a true reflection on the heart and quality of service of Law Enforcement in America. 

Any wise, critical-thinking citizen should be asking deeper questions beyond the fervor and click-bait headlines. We need to step back and ask ourselves, “This is so out of character of law enforcement: what happened? How did this scenario manifest and develop? What can we learn from it as citizens who appreciate the service of Law Enforcement?” 

​As a civilian who is not shy about her support of police, I am 100 miles away from truly understanding the day to day job of Law Enforcement Officers. Personally, I believe that 98.99% of Officers are outstanding civic servants and community members. They - more than anyone else - want the ill-behaved officers off the job. 

Officers are in low supply right now which forces departments to hire “less than ideal” candidates. Officers are retiring earlier than normal; this means departments’ senior officers are younger and less experienced in oversight and accountability. Good officers are departing the job for better paying scenarios or due to lack of a pension. In some cases, standards have lowered: officers in key positions may not have the ideal amount of training that is crucial to their tasks, like for a special unit division. 

The burden of what happened in Memphis is heavy on all departments across the nation. They know that their officers are better than this and that they need to figure out how to make sure this never happens again.

It is imperative that we as citizens acknowledge the importance of training, and that there is a great cost to having well trained Law Enforcement. Right now departments are extremely strapped for resources. As caring communities, we must find out what Law Enforcement leaders say is needed and then rally to get them the tools, facilities, and opportunities that will aid them in preparing their officers. More quality real world training will help create and grow a greater culture of service and excellence.

Officers need our support and the support of those who oversee their budget (the elected leaders). Let us as citizens not shirk our duty at this moment: we need to be asking hard questions of the elected leaders who have been limiting Officers’ budgets, training, resources, and pensions for a long time. It is time that we as a state - and a nation - get Officers all they need and more so that this Memphis tragedy does not happen again. 

We have a plethora of ideas for how people can rally around Law Enforcement at www.policeweekmichigan.com 

The Key Person at the epicenter of this holiday season, Jesus Christ, has a powerful statement noted in John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” 
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The Savior we recognize and remember this holiday season, born in a humble community, who lived among the everyday citizens of his time, would go on to choose a profession - a task, a role - that would demand for Him, His very life. He was born, He lived, and He died so that we might know eternal life. He gave of Himself so that we might possess something better. He served so that we would know peace. He sacrificed so that we might be safe. They may not realize it yet but Law Enforcement are a living example among us of the love of God. 

Over the past few years, as Law Enforcement are being pummeled all around us, I have worked hard to rally citizens to demonstrate their support for America’s Law Enforcement. I was raised in a family that taught me: freedom is not free, responsibility is part of life, and many serve so that I might enjoy convenience. These lessons laid a strong foundation in me to honor and celebrate Law Enforcement. Sadly, in my day, it has become a profession that is not understood and gravely under-appreciated.

This role Law Enforcement step into is, for most of them, a calling. It is not an obligatory task. It is not something most of them feel forced to do. It is a profession they chose and most of them love because they want to help people and they want to give back to their community. For most of them they would probably say “This is what I was born to do.” 
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We have become a society that - at large - is self focused. Too many citizens in our culture make their “self” a priority even to the detriment of their family and community. They let feelings guide them, they toss virtues to the side in the face of convenience, and they disrespect those who go above and beyond to serve them.

For most of us, this holiday season symbolizes similar things: a reflection on the birth of Christ, a time to gather with those who matter most, a reminder to give more than we take. But this year I find a parallel between Christmas and Law Enforcement, as well. No, I’m not saying or suggesting they take the place of my beloved Savior, but I am recognizing how their actions as a profession signal to me the love of a Wonderful selfless Savior.

Law Enforcement choose to step into a profession, and put their lives on the line, sometimes losing their lives, for the sake of precious individual lives. They stay calm when others are not. They act professionally when others behave poorly. They go back to help a person again and again and again even if they will not help themselves. They give of their own resources to aid hurting individuals when they can give nothing in return. This is love. And love is why Jesus came.

These examples of love (and many more) that Law Enforcement demonstrate, is the love that we are reminded about from our Savior during this holiday season. He came as a baby so that He could give His life to be a bridge for us, to pay sin’s penalty, so we can spend eternity with Him. He came not because of what “He would get out of it” or for “His convenience” or for “His comfort.” Jesus Christ came for the benefit of you and me.

I’m not naive: yes I know this is a paying job for Law Enforcement. It is their choice and they get financially compensated. But as you get to know them you will discover, this role for them is in their DNA. This is deeper than a job title, it is part of who they are and their nature. They love people and they are willing to help for the betterment of others even when it may personally cost them. And in a day and age when their profession is being mocked, bullied, and demoted faster than you can blink, how fitting to take this holiday season to pause and recognize them and their ongoing, self-less love and say thank you. 

Our officers show us love every day as they patrol the prison wards to care for the inmates, as they monitor the roads to make sure we stay the course for following the laws of safety, as they do home visits to check in on family members, as they come to a crying child’s aid when they are in need, and as they protect citizens from themselves when wrought with addiction.
 
They demonstrate to us daily what love looks like, what selfless behavior looks like, what sacrifice looks like - in tangible form. No, Law Enforcement (or any human for that matter) cannot take the place of what our Savior offers. But there are people on earth that demonstrate His heart in significant ways and I think Law Enforcement as a whole do an outstanding job of sharing their lives for the good of their fellow humans. 

So as you go about your holiday festivities and you come across Law Enforcement, thank them for their service. Drive slower around their vehicles out of care for their safety. Go out of your way to love on and watch their backs. And, let their presence be a reminder to you of Who we celebrate this season and that you are loved. 

Law Enforcement are a walking, talking, reminder that God loves us more than we can ever know. Jesus came so that we might have eternal life. Officers serve so that we might be safe, cared for, and secure. There is no greater love given than by those who are willing to lay down their lives for their friends (or strangers). 
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To those who serve in this arena, we salute you and we thank you for being a living example of what love looks like in the here and now. To most of America, including myself, you are His angels among us. 

In today’s day and age, our children are bombarded with information from pop culture, music, the internet, and even the toys we buy them. Trying to keep up on what they are exposed to can make your head spin; it certainly makes ours.

We sure don’t have everything right when it comes to parenting, and make mistakes and learn every day. We realized early on, we cannot protect our children from opinions fed to them by music, pop culture, and the like. Instead, we must focus on instilling values and morals, that when presented with sinister information, they make a healthy choice.