Today is the last in a series of one-word-encouragements I’m sharing to encourage you as you remember why you continue in this noble profession despite the daily criticisms, stresses and sacrifices. You don’t do what you do for the approval or recognition of others, but it has to be hard doing the right thing when some of the most vocal people are unreasonably critical.
 
When you feel unappreciated, remember you are GOOD at what you do: because of your calling (it’s how you were created), because of your character (it’s who you are), because of your commitment (it’s what you said you would do), because of your cause (it’s what puts action to your beliefs), and last of all, because of the consequences (it’s what would happen if you didn’t do your job).  As we move into the Christmas season, we hear the story about a Christ-child who left heaven to come to earth as a baby, to live, die and rise again to offer redemption to mankind. The way he was treated shows that we are not “basically good”. We are fallen, in need of redemption.
   
On the job, you see a lot of people in need of redemption, and unfortunately, many seem to have little or no interest in changing their ways.  I can only imagine it must be frustrating at times dealing with the same people repeatedly. Or going back to the same neighborhood time after time. Or to feel like you’ve reduced a particular crime hot spot you’ve been focusing on, only to see it move to a different part of town (or the fact that if it does move to a different location, that is counted as a “win”). 
     
Fighting evil is a never-ending battle, but you fighting one more time makes a difference to that neighbor whose house was NOT broken into because your increased neighborhood presence encouraged the bad guys to move elsewhere. It makes a difference in the life of a single mom who is trying to keep her son away from drugs and gang life when you arrest (one more time) the ones who are trying to influence her son. There are consequences if you give up because if feels like you are not making an impact or because you’ve “done this 100 times”. Every time you arrest a bad guy, it makes a difference in the life of their next would-be victim. 
   
I leave you with a thought from the Apostle Paul. He said this in a different context than yours, but it still seems appropriate: “Do not let yourselves get tired of doing good.” As bad as it gets sometimes or in some areas, thank you for not giving up...the consequences would be too great. 
   
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated Series
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing one-word-encouragements in the hopes of encouraging you as you remember why you continue in this noble profession despite the daily criticisms, stresses and sacrifices. As an outsider, I can offer sincere thanks and appreciation, but only you know why you chose this profession and why YOU keep doing what you do.  When you feel unappreciated, remember you are GOOD at what you do:  because of your calling (it’s how you were created), because of your character (it’s who you are), because of your commitment (it’s what you said you would do) and because of your cause (it’s what puts action to your beliefs).

To serve and protect Arlington is a worthy cause. There are those who advocate this cause (publicly recommend or support it) and there is you who advance or defend this cause with action. A lot of people will rally around a cause, but isn’t in interesting that, the greater the cost, the smaller the group that is truly committed? And rarely do outsiders take the time to understand the sacrifices made by the committed few. It is always eye-opening to read the story of people like Fortune 500 CEOs, elite athletes or specially trained military units and others to see the price these small groups of people are willing to pay because of their belief in their cause. It’s not a weekend activity for them...it what drives them, compels them. The cause is worthy of their all.

You are the committed few who give your all for the cause of serving and protecting Arlington. You have critics “those-who-have-no-experience-doing-what-you-do-but-still-have-all-the-answers” and those that “no-matter-what-you-do-it-will-be-wrong”. Seldom do these stop to see the “wins” you make possible for Arlington nor the sacrifices you make, yet they can be very vocal.

On the days when the voices of your critics are especially loud, remember your cause represented by the thin blue line. YOU separate the good from the bad and are the bulwark between order and anarchy in society. And that line is a link that is a memorial, connection or memory between officers who advanced or defended the cause with their lives, and you who are serving today. And when you see citizens wearing the emblem, let it be a reminder of the support your community has for you...even when we don’t understand all you do for us or the toll it takes on you.    

Be encouraged by your cause...it is just and you have chosen a noble profession. 

Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated Series
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5

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Have you ever wondered how some marriages last decades and seem to survive anything while others struggle to survive an argument about  which way the toilet paper should come off the roll?  Some would be tempted to say, “It depends on the couple” but I think it could more accurately be said, “It depends on the commitment”. When you get married, you make vows...promises...commitments to love each other for better and for worse. The easy part is saying those words. Then the preacher makes it official and you have to go LIVE OUT your commitments. 

Commitment means staying loyal
to what you said you were going to do
long after the mood you said it in has left you.
 
The day you graduated from the academy and received your badge you made a commitment to serve and protect our city. You pledged service before self and honor above all as well as committed to the values and vision of the Department. Since that day, you’ve experienced what it means to LIVE OUT your commitments. I’m sure there are days the mood has changed since you made those commitments, but the good news is, just like in marriage, if you stick to it long enough the mood will return (before leaving again...and then returning).  Thank you for LIVING OUT the commitment you made that day and for not giving up...even when the mood is just not there the times you feel unappreciated for what you do.

You are GOOD at what you do because of a calling (it’s how you were created), because of your character (it’s who you are) and because of  your commitment (it’s what you said you would do).

You are appreciated,
Pastor Rob
 
Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated Series
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5

I would like to continue what I started last week, sharing one word or idea that I hope will encourage you when you feel unappreciated. Last week the word was CALLING and included the idea that each individual is created with a unique personality, temperament, motivations, skills, etc. This calling, along with opportunity is what gives you direction in choosing how and where you want to invest your time and your life. Calling is also what allows you to say, “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else” even though there are times personally when you might ask, Why make the sacrifices I make and put my life on the line for people who do not appreciate it? 
   
This week, I was thinking about the word CHARACTER and ran across this quote: “People of character do the right thing even if no one else does, not because they think it will change the world but because they refuse to be changed by the world.” You serve our city not because you believe one day it will make us drug free, gang free or crime free...but because you refuse to let those things change and define our city.  Personally, character is deciding, “This is who I choose to be. This is who I refuse to be” and then consistently living out those decisions, even (or perhaps particularly) when it is hard. You have chosen to be a person of character, to set an example and to hold the standard for our city when it’s hard. One of the things that makes it hard is feeling unappreciated. 
   
When you are discouraged, and asking “Why do I do this for people who don’t appreciate it?” remember character. “I may not change everything that is wrong in my City, but I make a difference, and the things I see and deal with will not change me...this is who I am.”  
   
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob
Encouragement When You Feel Unappreciated Series
Part 1  Part 2  Part 3  Part 4  Part 5