This quote is from a letter written by Ralph Waldo Emerson to his daughter, Ellen. Sometimes it is good to be reminded the day is over with all its drama, surprises and stress. 
   
It is interesting that in the Hebrew creation story, the sun, moon and stars were said to be created, among other reasons, to mark days, weeks, months and years. I believe we were given seasons of time to allow us natural times to reset. 
   
Obviously, there is something to be said for long-term planning. “Where do I want to be 10 years from now?” or “How can I advance in this job?” or “How do I want my kids to turn out?” These kinds of questions all require long-term planning. Resets like the turning of a new year and New Year’s resolutions to set goals and adjust habits can help here. But there are times when our mind and our soul need to live just one day at a time. 
   
At the end of the day, Emerson’s advice is good; put the day to bed. All that happened, let it go; tomorrow is a fresh day. And then rest...don’t worry about what the next day may bring. An often-quoted Hebrew rabbi once said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.” 
   
I don’t know what your day, week, month or year has been like, but I pray that at the end of your day today, you can reset and be at peace. Today will be done and tomorrow will be a NEW day, full of potential to do or to change. 
   
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

I read this prayer by the King of Ancient Israel 3000 years ago, and it made me think of Arlington officers, so this is my thought/prayer for you this week:

I am your servant; give me discernment…

Every time I see an officer talking to a witness, complainant or just about anybody involved in a call, you always have your notebook and are writing down what you hear. You are trained to listen to all sides of the story and then, to the best of your ability, discern the situation and make a call on what to do. Fortunately, EVERYBODY is ALWAYS 100% honest with law enforcement, so this makes discerning the truth easy! (heavy sarcasm)
     
Sometimes you have to discern and act more quickly whether it is something like reading a person’s body language or maybe rolling up on a dangerous call. Quickly discerning the situation and acting can be a matter of safety.
     
The job you do is dangerous, fluid and rarely black and white. I thought about that as I read a prayer by King David this weekend where he said, "I am your servant; give me discernment."
     
So that’s my thought or prayer for you this week. I am asking for you to be given discernment whether it’s as simple as hearing two different sides of a story or dealing with a situation that could be dangerous.
     
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

I enjoy listening to a person’s story. Most of the time, you hear something you never would imagined just looking at the person. I am also of the opinion that you can learn from most anybody’s story. Sometimes you learn something worth repeating in your own life, and sometimes you learn something it would be good to AVOID. As an officer, you no doubt hear LOTS of stories of things that are best avoided in your own life, but have you ever paid attention to how the people telling these stories got themselves in their situation? THAT’S where you can learn from other’s mistakes.
  
You know what gateway drugs are. Have you learned to listen for people’s “gateway decisions” that got them into their situation? You may never do the thing for which a person gets arrested, but have you ever rationalized something because, “It’s not wrong. It’s not illegal. It’s not immoral. It’s not over the line.” Often times, these are the “gateway decisions” that lead us to negative consequences.
  
Because an option can be both not wrong and unwise at the same time, author Andy Stanley came up with what he termed “The Best Question Ever”. According to him, the best question anyone can ever ask when making a decision is, “What is the wise thing to do?” Not what is the right, smart, legal or even moral thing...what is the WISE thing? What a great question...but how can we know what is the wise thing to do? Andy suggests asking the question in three different ways: 1) In light of past experience, 2) In light of present circumstances, 3) In light of future hopes and dreams...what is the wise thing to do?
  
Whether I want to avoid making a dumb decision that will make my life harder, or if I want to help somebody else make a wise choice, what a great question! I am praying for YOU this week, both on the job and on your time off...be wise! In light of past experience, present circumstances, future hopes and dreams…what is the wise thing to do? 

Blessings,
Pastor Rob
 
Thoughts and examples taken from Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets: 
5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move by Andy Stanley 
I am giving away a copy of this book. If you would like to be entered in the drawing, go to the comment section here, leave your name and email and simply say, "I want to be in the book drawing".

Make Life Less Hard Series
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Part 5