fbinaa_apr-jun-2020-Press-digital

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN

Jeff Kruithoff

I was sitting in my office early one morning in late March looking out the window. Since most of the Administrative Staff was gone due to Covid-19 regulations, it was quiet in the office. I had just heard the news of the tragic death of fellow National Academy graduate, Commander Carnicle , from Phoenix and was mulling over the funeral the day before of an officer outside Cincinnati who tragically died placing stop sticks in the roadway in an effort to apprehend a fleeing felon. In the previous weeks, I had sent out dozens of emails to NA members in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas, Georgia, Nevada and the State of Washington who had experienced the tragic death or murder of a fellow officer. I reviewed how the funerals services of these fine hero’s had to be restricted, postponed, or drastically reduced due to social distancing and well-meaning orders from the nation’s Governors. To say I was feeling a little melancholy is an understatement. It seemed the world was really being turned inside out. Perhaps it was a little bit of compassion fatigue; perhaps it was knowing that both local and national Police Memorial services had already been cancelled in May. I felt deeply how this act was leaving the family, friends, and coworkers of these fine officers in limbo as to when recognition of the supreme sacrifice made for our country would be recognized. Perhaps, it was the constant onslaught of Covid-19 news stories and emails. Each one outlining in detail the impact this unseen killer was having on police agencies all over the world. In any event, I began to realize that something I had never seen in 47 years of police work was occurring all around me. Then slowly, as I stared out my office window, one by one I started to see the flowering trees that were blooming as they announced the start of spring in Ohio. The grass outside my window was turning the brilliant and deep shade of green only possible with the March rains and thunderstorms in the Midwest. A drastic change from the dormant brown and subdued greens of winter that had been there just a few short weeks ago. I could not help but think of how the new life and promise the flowering trees represented came after the dark and seemingly dead days of winter. That correlation is very appropriate to comfort us as we wait for the new beauty and life that we know will come after the darkness and fear of Covid-19. A good friend had sent out the following bible verse in an email this week. It spoke directly to the mood I was finding myself in. “Be not 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.” – Philippians 4:6-7 All of us faced a decision during the Covid-19 crisis. We could be filled with fear, or we could be filled with faith. We all had to come to the realization that we are not in control of Hopefully, A Final Word on Covid-19

an important part of our life. We also found out that it was not Government, not our bank accounts, not our health, or our jobs that would decide if we became sick or stayed healthy. We faced an inexplicable truth that although we have free will, God is in control. The bible is filled with stories of where God is in the chaos since that is where he is most visible. The last few months were a perfect time to look for him, and a perfect time to acknowledge his power over all. He spoke our entire universe into existence and the current uncertainty of our life is nothing for his power. By the time, you are reading this, much more is known about the final extent that Covid-19 will have on our lives. I pray that the days ahead are like the awakening of spring and filled with new beginnings and fresh experiences after the dark and unknown days we have all lived through this past spring. I have seen numerous references to a verse in Psalm 91 in the past month. “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Embrace and remember the simplicity Covid-19 brought into our lives. The lack of sports distractions, and the urgent rat race of life. Embrace and remember the need we discovered to depend on others.

Until next time.

Jeff Kruithoff National Chaplain jkruithoff@fbinaa.org | 937.545.0227

Some of my thoughts today were formed from reading Catherine Segars , www.catherinesegars.com .

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