I just returned from the best vacation of my life! A week at the beach in Pt. Austin MI. All of my kids and their spouses were there, as well as all of my grandchildren. To get to see my grandkids playing at the lake together was cool beyond measure.
While there were countless memorable moments there is one that will forever
stand out in my mind above all of the others.
The first morning, last Saturday, about 5:50 AM or so I was laying out on one
of the boulders on the shore. I was
enjoying a cup of coffee, watching the sky turn red with the breaking
dawn. The wind was blowing a bit and the
waves were crashing on the rocks. I was
just soaking in the moment and thanking God for all of the great changes in my
life the past year. It was so
cool!
What made it even cooler was I heard a noise behind me. It was my son Jed. He knew it was going to be a busy day so he
was up at dawn to do his daily devotions.
It was just so cool to spend that time together there on the rocks
watching the sun rise.
One of the things I am most thankful for in life is that Jed, as well as my
other two kids, all took ownership of their faith at an early age and have
continued that throughout their lives.
Imagine getting up at dawn when you are on vacation to make sure you get
your devotions in! :)
Little did Jed know that later that day events would unfold which would lead to
the duty that he has to perform today.
You see Jed is a police officer. And
just like so many policer officers, men and women, out there, Jed is a good person, a Godly
person. A person who willingly makes
sacrifices that many of us would never make to protect many who don't
appreciate it.
These fine men and women do this day in and day out without complaint, knowing
that they may pay a price for doing their job; a price that most of us will
never face for doing our jobs. That
price is the loss of their lives.
Unfortunately, last Saturday night Sgt. Ryan Proxmire was killed in the line of
duty. He sacrificed his life protecting
his community. He gave his life for his
fellow man. No greater love is there
than that. But it is not his sacrifice
alone that was made. His family made
that sacrifice right along with him. It
wasn't just the love of a single man that made the sacrifice, it was the love
of the whole family that supported that sacrifice!
As Matthew tells us in Matt 5:9, it was Jesus Himself who said "Blessed
are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."! I doubt if Jesus would object if we
broadened it a bit. Blessed are the
peacemakers and their families!!!
Please keep the family in your prayers.
As far as the duty that Jed has to perform today. He is part of the honor guard for his
department at the funeral today. It will
be an emotional day for him.
Jed I just want you to know that I love you, I admire what you do, I'm proud of
you, and I'll be praying for you today.
"Blessed are the Peacemakers"!
