Our Life
Even though I have been married to Mike for 6 years, I have only been the wife of a law enforcement officer for a little over 12 months.
Sometimes it is still hard for me to believe that this is our life now.
A life where your weekends are in the middle of the week. Where you have to stay quiet during the day so your husband can sleep. Where he wears a bullet proof vest to work.
Where there is always that little fear in the back of your head that makes your heart jump every time there is a knock at the door.
Where it is not uncommon to have a cruiser parked in your driveway, garnering stares (or glares) from everyone that drives by.
A life where your husband walks through the door after a long shift, handsome in his uniform, cover and duty belt, but dead tired from a day dealing with all sorts of people and situations - stories that would make you shudder if he ever felt so inclined to share them. Where he has to switch from being "on-duty" to being husband and daddy.
One where you pray for the safety of every officer you pass in your travels.
This is our life.
I love it. It can be hard sometimes. And that's just me saying it - as the wife - who stays behind at home and prays her husband through his shift. However, it is beyond rewarding. Mike loves his job. This career is something we had been praying for for years. It is an answer to prayer.
It is amazing the sense of overwhelming, all-encompassing pride I feel when I see Mike out doing his job. It's a little scary of course. The other day I saw him in the middle of a busy road, dealing with a crash. But I rest in the knowledge of his months of training that he deemed harder than basic training.
I know he is well-versed in his work.
He is kind. He is fair. He sometimes gets thanked by the people he arrests because he is so respectful to them.
Being a law enforcement officer's wife (LEOW) I do what I can to support him. I fold dozens of black socks every week, I make his lunches, I try - try being the operative word there - to be understanding when he has to work late, etc.
But one of my favorite things to do for Mike each week is to switch out his uniform. I have to use needle nose pliers to get the cotter pins off the back of the buttons, so it can be somewhat labor intensive. I decided that I need a prayer that I can repeat as I go through the process - one that would ask for safety and blessings on Mike at work. I am not the most eloquent of writers...or prayers...for that matter...so I thought a list of Bible verses might do.
Here is what I have so far. Please note I am no great theologian. I have a simple faith, and I live a simple life. These are words that bring me comfort.
For the epaulets (shoulders):Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you. | Psalm 55:22a
For the badge (over his heart): Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. | Col. 3:23
For the cufflinks (hands): We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it. | 1st Cor 4:12
For the pocket on the right side of his shirt: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. | 1st Cor 16:13
For the buttons down the front of his shirt - all apply :)
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the pathways of your feet, and be steadfast in all your ways. | Prov. 4:25
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God
goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. | Duet. 31:6
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received from Me, or seen in Me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. | Phil 4: 8-9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Phil 4: 6-7
This is something that I have been stewing on for weeks now, and I am so glad to finally put pen to paper - so to speak :)
Sometimes it is still hard for me to believe that this is our life now.
A life where your weekends are in the middle of the week. Where you have to stay quiet during the day so your husband can sleep. Where he wears a bullet proof vest to work.
Where there is always that little fear in the back of your head that makes your heart jump every time there is a knock at the door.
Where it is not uncommon to have a cruiser parked in your driveway, garnering stares (or glares) from everyone that drives by.
A life where your husband walks through the door after a long shift, handsome in his uniform, cover and duty belt, but dead tired from a day dealing with all sorts of people and situations - stories that would make you shudder if he ever felt so inclined to share them. Where he has to switch from being "on-duty" to being husband and daddy.
One where you pray for the safety of every officer you pass in your travels.
This is our life.
I love it. It can be hard sometimes. And that's just me saying it - as the wife - who stays behind at home and prays her husband through his shift. However, it is beyond rewarding. Mike loves his job. This career is something we had been praying for for years. It is an answer to prayer.
It is amazing the sense of overwhelming, all-encompassing pride I feel when I see Mike out doing his job. It's a little scary of course. The other day I saw him in the middle of a busy road, dealing with a crash. But I rest in the knowledge of his months of training that he deemed harder than basic training.
I know he is well-versed in his work.
He is kind. He is fair. He sometimes gets thanked by the people he arrests because he is so respectful to them.
Being a law enforcement officer's wife (LEOW) I do what I can to support him. I fold dozens of black socks every week, I make his lunches, I try - try being the operative word there - to be understanding when he has to work late, etc.
But one of my favorite things to do for Mike each week is to switch out his uniform. I have to use needle nose pliers to get the cotter pins off the back of the buttons, so it can be somewhat labor intensive. I decided that I need a prayer that I can repeat as I go through the process - one that would ask for safety and blessings on Mike at work. I am not the most eloquent of writers...or prayers...for that matter...so I thought a list of Bible verses might do.
Here is what I have so far. Please note I am no great theologian. I have a simple faith, and I live a simple life. These are words that bring me comfort.
For the epaulets (shoulders):Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you. | Psalm 55:22a
For the pocket on the right side of his shirt: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. | 1st Cor 16:13
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the pathways of your feet, and be steadfast in all your ways. | Prov. 4:25
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God
goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. | Duet. 31:6
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received from Me, or seen in Me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. | Phil 4: 8-9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Phil 4: 6-7
This is something that I have been stewing on for weeks now, and I am so glad to finally put pen to paper - so to speak :)
Erin, this is truly amazing--just like you. :)
ReplyDeleteFocusing your faith, prayers and love for Mike when you are switching his uniform is a beautiful way to care for him and cover him in God's protection and your love always.
~bee