Not Tonight
By Effie Darlene Barba
Into the deepest darkest night
Where evil lurks-hid from his sight
An Officer goes-prepared to fight
With all His strength and all His might
Praying to God, not tonight
He gently pulls His children near
Their smiles can lift his heart with cheer
He kisses boo-boos wipes their tears
And as He leaves for work He hears
Daddy, don’t go, not tonight
She kisses him, to work he goes
And all the time, too well she knows
That he must face such evil foes
Phone clutched tight, her eyes then close
Lord, don’t let it ring, not tonight
A mother awakens to whisper a prayer
Protect my son from sin’s dark lair
Your warrior of truth-just and fair
Endowed by you with virtues rare
He’s yours to call, please not tonight
Forgotten and paid a pauper’s wage
Media and public he must assuage
While calmly holding back the rage
When violent criminals do engage
Pleading to God, not tonight
These officers protecting you
They sacrifice more than you knew.
When will you value what they do
Or even stop to say, “Thank You”?
Shame on you, if not tonight
Officers often have less than a split second to make a decision. When they hesitate for even a split second it is their life they may be sacrificing as has been the case all too often. Maybe we need to walk in their shoes just for a moment to realize that too often they don’t have time to think. As Christians and as citizens, we are commanded to be subject to the rulers and authorities placed over us. The only exception would be when they tell us that we cannot pray or worship–even then, we are to continue with humility to pray and worship. If we are arrested and jailed for praying, we go peacefully. If we are killed for bowing before Christ; like Stephen, we die without violence. Short of that we are to obey the authorities.
Titus 3:1 (NIV)“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient”.
With so much pain, sorrow and struggles we need to take a moment to sing this song along with Aaron Keyes–Sovereign Over Us. Let the words of this song whisper to your heart and let it be filled with God’s Love, Joy, and Peace sustaining us in the midst of tears, chaos and pain. No, I don’t mean a phony smile and giddiness. I mean that steady deep abiding strength and peace that flows forth with the rivers of our tears.
New International Version(NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
© 2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to any brands, products or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides regarding the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”