It Could Have Been Me


Shelby Star Picture: Accurately capturing not only my brother's emotions
but the emotions of the whole city.  
I am sure by now, everyone has seen the news, that the City of Shelby lost an officer in the line of duty this week. His funeral brought 100's of agencies to our little ole' town to represent, a country united, honoring Officer Brackeen for his service and ultimate sacrifice.  The whole county has come together, setting out flags and blue ribbons, collecting donations for the family, and offering up prayers for our community as whole, for the grieving officers who lost their partner and friend, and for Officer Brackeen's family.






My work brothers set up our ladder trucks
so that the american flags could be displayed
in the funeral procession.
I've cried a lot this week- but most of my tears have been for my brother. Watching him grieve the lost of his friend is heart breaking for me. Watching him make comparisons, saying, "It could have been me" made me stop, and ponder the same thought. What if it had been my brother? How would I have reacted? WHen you begin to empathize, the grief takes on a whole deeper level.
Officer Brackeen left behind an incredible legacy, but I believe his legacy has been manifested by his father. His father has been on the news, offering forgiveness to the accused killer, and I have seen those words of forgiveness stir more men's hearts, than anything else. How could someone forgive such a horrendous act? As  this was a question asked-the only response I had was, "Because Jesus is bigger than it all." Jesus was real in Officer Brackeens life, he is real in life of his family, and it is evident by the grace and love that has been out poured to everyone involved.

My brother and I last year. Proud of him.
We are not guaranteed tomorrow, our brothers and sisters at work are not guaranteed tomorrow either. I think the best way to honor Officer Brackeens legacy, is to remember this, and to take the time to remember that life is short, and we should never take any moment for granted. Jesus loves you, and if you love him back, and allow him to be real in your life, he can give peace that surpasses understanding, and fill your heart with so much love, that you can conquer anything. Don't procrastinate allowing Jesus to be real in your life, don't leave the house without hugging your loved ones, and don't go to bed angry. Love and forgive, and do all that you can to create your own legacy that will impact generations to come.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Sex Standing Up : Moldova Part 2

If you missed part one, please read it first: Part 1 Throughout my trip I was reading the book written by John Eldredge, entitled Beautiful Outlaw. If you've not read it, I would highly encourage you to do so. And I hope with this next sentence you will still read his book, and the rest of this blog for that matter. The title of this blog I questioned, but you are here reading this so it either hooked you in, or was in poor taste enough that either way you are here. In Eldredege’s book, he pokes fun at the joke, that I've heard many say about Baptist, you know the one, “ Why don’t Baptist have sex standing up? Because it would look too much like dancing.” Honestly I've never gotten the joke, cause I’m not sure a Baptist would talk about sex in public either, well at least not the good ole’ conservative southern Baptist. But this was the point, Christians in their various denominations get lost in their theology. They, I guess I should say ...
Read more

Serenity

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.  Today has been a bit of a struggle for me. I've been asking God why, which is never an encouraging way to spend the day. It all started with a little boy at the social orphanage. Last week, he was a little wild, so I just scooped him up, and held him in my lap, while Ed told the Bible Story. As we sat, this little boy just melted into my arms, sat quietly, and listened. So this week, as soon as I sat down in the classroom, he was climbing into my lap, and started to just talk to me.  He told me how everyone had gotten picked up this weekend and got to go home for the holiday Ukraine just celebrated. This social orphanage we go to, the kids live and go to school in one place. Their parents either are incarcerated, too poor to care for their child, or a single parent. Some people put their kids in this "school" so that they ca...
Read more

RIP

I  want to take the time to let you know how great Dr. K was. He has been a ministry partner with Hands on Missions for a really long time. His free medical clinic offered aid to thousand. He would make house calls (even to the missionaries in town) and give free medicine. Often he would visit our elderly neighbors, patiently listen to their every whim, as though he had all his day to offer sympathy. I left Ukraine for a couple years, and when I returned, I ran into Dr. K on the street. He genuinely took interest in how I was doing asking questions and encouraging me. Couple months ago my arm went numb and I was freaking out a little bit so I went to Dr. K for help. I was in pain and worried, and he looked at me and said, its okay, don't worry. And after a chiropractic session, I could feel my hand again. Did you know if it had not been for Dr. K my family would not be in Ukraine. My mom originally came to Ukraine in the 90's to do children's ministry outside ...
Read more