Jesus performed many miracles that transformed and saved lives, yet it seems that few recipients of His kindness took time to thank Him for what He personally did for them. The Bible records one of those rare occasions:
“Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, ‘Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they?’” (Luke 17:15-17 NASB, emphasis added).
Thankfulness is a personal virtue each of us should possess and practice. The Apostle Paul, throughout his epistles, vocalized gratitude—as when he closed the book of Romans by saying:
“Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you...Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, workers in the Lord. Greet Persis the beloved, who has worked hard in the Lord” (Romans 16:6,12 NASB).
When was the last time we thanked those who “work hard” for us? Gratitude should unite us not just as people of faith but also as a country—especially at a time when many of those who serve on our behalf are suffering brutal attacks in our streets.
Over the past month, Secret Service officers were assaulted on White House grounds;[1] New York City police officers have repeatedly been doused with water and assaulted with buckets and bottles;[2] Customs & Border Patrol agents were rushed by migrants who punched and kicked their way into our country;[3] a Chicago block party designed a piñata as an ICE officer and then encouraged children to beat him;[4] and there are numerous additional accounts.
When a country stops saying “Thank You!” to those who uphold our laws, freedom is in jeopardy because liberty and safety are being taken for granted. Even the first President of the United States was not beyond saying “Thank you!” to those who fought for our freedom. At his resignation, he told his group of officers:
“With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you...I cannot come to each of you, but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.”[5]
Most of us probably don’t have a specific experience where we owe our lives to law enforcement, but we all should nevertheless say “Thank You!” for the countless ways our police officers, veterans, firefighters, and federal agents have protected us in times of danger as well as prevented crime in our communities. As a recent study in The Journal of Public Economics affirmed:
“...each additional police officer hired prevented four violent crimes and 15 property crimes…[attributing] the decrease in crime to a deterrence effect additional law enforcement officers have rather than an increase in arrest rate.”[6]
At a time when law enforcement is being attacked and belittled by many, as people of faith we should take every opportunity to show gratitude to those who perform often thankless tasks.
Or even if a city council votes (as Tega Cay, South Carolina originally did) to remove prayers and verses from monuments honoring fallen officers, then our own thoughts and prayers should still echo the officers’ prayer that appeared in that city’s memorial:
“Lord, I ask for courage. Courage to face and conquer my own fears, courage to take me where others will not go...Give me Lord, concern for others who trust me and compassion for those who need me. And please Lord, through it all, be at my side."[7]
So be thankful—and then express that gratefulness to those who defend our constitutional freedoms and blessings.
Foundations of Truth hereby waives all claim of copyright (economic and moral) in this work and immediately places it in the public domain; it may be used, published, edited, and distributed in any manner whatsoever without any attribution or notice to Foundations of Truth.
[1] Bowden, J. (2019, July 25). Man charged with assaulting, injuring three Secret Service officers near White House. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/454778-man-charged-with-assaulting-injuring-three-secret-service
[2] Moore, T., Celona, L. & Feis, A. (2019, July 24). Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2019/07/24/video-emerges-of-third-water-bucket-attack-on-nypd-cops/
[3] Gearty, R. & Chamberlain, S. (2019, July 20). Border agents use tear gas to stop nearly 50 undocumented migrants who stormed Rio Grande bridge. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/us/cbp-uses-tear-gas-to-stop-nearly-50-illegal-immigrants-who-stormed-border-crossing-bridge
[4] Gstalter, M. (2019, July 24). Chicago block party featured piñata shaped like ICE officer. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/454512-chicago-block-party-featured-pinata-shaped-like-ice-officer
[5] Washington, G. (1783, December 4). Retrieved from http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/heart-full-love-gratitude-now-take-leave-george-washingtons-farewell-toast/
[6] New study: Cops prevent crime. (2019, April 5). Retrieved from https://www.nraila.org/articles/20190405/new-study-cops-prevent-crime
[7] Starnes, T. (2019, July 26). Todd Starnes: South Carolina town's decision to remove memorial honoring fallen police officers is a big one. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/todd-starnes-south-carolina-tega-cay-memorial-police-officers-lord-prayer
Comentarios