CHAPLAINS CORNER
Chaplain David Gardner
Making time for your Family
The Police Officer should guard your family time carefully. As your children grow you’ll find there are demands on everyone’s time. Your free time can be taken up with job outings and activities. Planning ahead really helps and if you make it clear to everyone what your plans are then you will have less stress when the time comes to take time with them. Don’t worry if you have not decided where you’re going out. The first step is to set aside a few hours for a family activity. Make sure everyone understands that this is family time and you don’t want the plans changed.
As the kids grow older it’s worth making them aware of how important time spent together is by talking about it. Tell them that being together with the family mean a lot to you and that you want to be with them. With family time, or any time you can enjoy time together you show that special time is needed and regard it as being just as important as anything else in your life. Turn off the cell phone! They don’t need a cop at home they need dad and mom. Your family needs your full attention and it should not be interrupted by phone calls. If you have more than one child, split them up: while you take your son to the supermarket or the garage, your wife can spend time with your daughter at home. Make time to talk with your kids often both together and one on one. Finally, never underestimate how much you can get out of just a few moments of time with your family. As your kids grow up, nothing is more valuable as special times of your undivided attention.
Share God together and make time to include Church attendance, fellowship and prayers together as a family.
Family time should be a top priority, because other demands of the job always seem more urgent. However, it’s this time that is most valuable of all to your spouse and kids.
ASK THE CHAPLAIN
Q: Is it ok for me to pray while at work?
A: Prayer is a powerful tool for the Police Officer. Praying at work is a special privilege because most officers work alone and have some time to take a break during the shift to pray. Prayers relax the mind and reset your focus for the rest of the shift and will help the officer to stay balanced for the tough calls ahead
Q: I work the streets seeing people who have been killed or murdered and I have to ask myself, where was God?
A: Working in Law Enforcement we see the “evil” results of mankind. This world has become even more wicked as time passes because people have turned their back on God and have even indulged themselves in Satanic practices. Where is God? Did you know that your job is ordained from God? Police Officers are “Ministers of Justice” as described in the Bible. Just think of the chaos we would suffer if it was not for the Police Officers who risk their lives to protect us from the evil people that seek to destroy. My answer is God has charged mankind with the power to choose his or her destiny. God does not force anyone to do anything and the choices that mankind makes will be judged by God in the future. Man has the power to choose good or evil or to even serve God or not.
We see the ones who chose evil and the havoc they cause to their fellow man when they make the choice to not live for God.
Q: Why do I need a Police Chaplain?
A: According to the International Conference of Police Chaplains, which is a great resource for Chaplains. On their web site it says that A law enforcement chaplain is trained to provide pastoral care in the dangerous world of law enforcement. This pastoral care is offered to all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, or religion. It is offered without cost or the taint of proselytizing. The law enforcement chaplain is led in his or her own faith to be available and ready to serve those in need. The chaplain’s ministry provides a source of strength to the law enforcement officers and their families, other department members, the community, and the incarcerated. Officers, although trained in ministry, not necessarily abreast of the particular problems and dangers face the law enforcement officer’s clergy or religious advisor in private life. Chaplains listen and participate in the workplace of law enforcement officers with empathy and experience, advising calmly in the midst of turmoil and danger, and offering assistance when appropriates or requested.
Visit them on the web at www.icpc4cops.org
