The following was received from an officer I met at the National Crime Prevention Conference in Washington DC recently.
I was packing up my exhibit and took time to unpack and find Tim a CLEF
pin which I gave to him as we sat and shared testimonies and talked for
about an hour or so about how the Holy Spirit was using us in law
enforcement and how difficult it can be to live up to the expectations
of many of those folks we serve and with whom we serve. We talked about
some of the disappointments and difficulties we were experiencing in
our loves or careers and tried to encourage each other.
I want you to notice how the smallest things in life like just
listening and talking with someone you meet during your "busy" day can
have an unexpected impact on their lives and therefore on your own.
I often wonder if I am really doing what the Holy Spirit wants me to do
and I used to spend (or waste) time worrying about it. When I finally
realized that all I needed to do was be available to be a part of a
solution and not the entire answer, I was able to more easily recognize
the many "windows of opportunity" that I had been passing by each day
while looking for and asking God to open for me some "doors of
opportunity". I finally heard Him say "are you SWAT or not". So don't
be slow like me on the up-take. When a window of opportunity opens,
make a SWAT entry and when you do the Holy Spirit will use you to make
an impact in some way I am positive.
Here are Tim's Comments:
I met you at the NCPC Conference in Washington, DC. I am the guy who stayed late, causing you to unpack to give me a CLEF pin. Anyway, I was blessed by our conversation and fellowship that day. I have told many people about our meeting.
My reassignment to the Patrol Division as a shift LT has gone exceptionally well. While being reluctant to go "back to the street" after several years in the office, I found the life I had missed and subconsciously longing to return to. My shift was experiencing some supervisory turmoil. That was quickly remedied and things are working out well. These young patrol officers are truly warriors and they are watching out for me.
I have always been the type to lead from the front by example, so I work with them to assist, but I have also learned when to stay out of the way and let them do their job.
Since I am working nights, I have been able to reduce my stress level to almost zero. There is not very much politics going on as you stated at 3:00 a.m.!
As a result of being assigned to this shift, I will be starting a Small Men's Group on Thursday afternoons at 4:00 p.m. This is a new venture for my church, because most groups either meet for breakfast, or in the evenings. Neither of these time frames work out well for late shift people. I have two officers already who are wanting to join the group. We are not limiting it to police only, but it may turn out that way. I was hoping for a mix, but God knows who will be there and He will send them.
I would like to ask you to pray for my future. Retirement is looming on the horizon. I have one possibility lined up that would be a great job, working as a policy advisor for the Council of State Governments. The job posting almost fits my resume to a "T". Please pray for God's Will for this position.
I felt led to contact you and hope you are doing well. I enjoyed reading about your ministry in New Orleans. A group from my church, Master Provisions, will be taking some Christmas presents to the children in the New Orleans area. I really feel I should go, and will take my 14 year old son with me. He is wanting to be a police officer, so this might show him how we can really help people.
Take care, my Brother, and I hope to hear from you soon. I will keep you posted on any changes God makes in my life.
Tim Chesser
Florence (KY) Police Department
