The
ROT and The N.W.S.A. Chapter's Official Web Site San
Antonio, Texas
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Dear Blue Family Bikers,
I was asked to write a short, inspirational article for your website. Although I no longer own a bike, I guess it’s OK to write to you. Being a SAPD Chaplain is perhaps my best credential. My three and one-half years of experience with the department has given me considerable insight into the life and work of police officers.
One point that we share as common ground is that we are both called to the work we do. I cannot imagine anyone being either a police officer or a priest without a sense of call. Either you are supposed to do the work or you are not. You quickly know the answer when you get into the real world of police work or ministry. It “sure ain’t for the money or short workin’ hours”. The two vocations are more alike than most may think. The most obvious is that we are trying to prevent folks from doing things that are detrimental to themselves and/or society.
There is a certain amount of frustration attached to both our tasks. One observation that I have made is that some who are arrested, for good reason, are back out on the street almost before the ink is dry on the report. That’s got to be frustrating. In my world, there are those who are repeatedly given the message of the Gospel and they choose to ignore it and continue to cause pain and heartache for those that are closest to them, such as family and close friends. That frustrates me a great deal. It seems like a real losing battle, doesn’t it? As I said: Common ground.
Then the reality sets in. My job is to do MY job. I report the message to the folks that I meet in my daily walk. That’s about all I can do. It seems to me that you may have a similar lot in life. Our work can take the other person only so far. And, frustration only serves to make us less effective and, at times, bitter. It isn’t easy, is it?
Here’s where faith comes in. When we get to the point that we are feeling that we are doing little to change things, little that satisfies our early expectations, we are called upon to turn that which is beyond our control over to God. He will take over when we reach our limits. That is the only answer that I have found that consistently works. It seems to work in every situation. And, if something works, I tend to leave it alone.
What do you think?
Faithfully, Paul Worley SAPD Chaplain If you have a Question or if you need advice or help from Chaplain Worley just enter it below and pres Submit
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Last modified: 05/23/07 |