"Each year the Euless Police Department selects an outstanding civilian employee as the recipient of the "Bill Harvell" Civilian of the Year Award. This award is presented to honor the memory of Lieutenant Bill Harvell who passed away in 1975. At the time of his death, Lieutenant Harvell commanded the civilian services of the Euless Police Department. The recipient of this year's award has been chosen because she exemplifies the high standards set by Lieutenant Harvell. She is recognized by all as someone who is always willing to go the extra mile to improve the work environment and assist those in need. Her own personal needs routinely take a back seat to the needs of those she serves... her police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and citizens.
For her outstanding service and performance, Tammy Barnes has been selected as the 2008 recipient of the Bill Harvell Award.
Signed Michael G. Brown, Chief of Police"
Last Friday night, we attended the awards dinner for the EPD. Danny and Tracie accepted the award on Tammy's behalf, and my 7 year old nephew (a.k.a., Tracie's and Billy's son), Colt, kept us rolling on the floor laughing as he helped with the awarding of door prizes. Actually, Colt started out drawing numbers out of the jar, but two tickets into it, the show was all his. He had the microphone, ran the commentary, and even heckled his Papaw and the Chief and Assistant Chiefs of Police. His future is so bright it burns my eyes, however, I have digressed from my original purpose for writing today. I will only say one more thing, and it is entirely unbiased. Tammy has two crazy-amazing nephews and one phenomenal niece.
The evening was lovely and there were more than just tears of laughter that were shed that night. It is funny that we often think of recognition is something we earn with numbers that back our success or from achieving a goal. We live in a world of "Best Sellers" and "Box Office Hits" and "Top Sellers." So much emphasis on measurable success, so little on the substance between the pages of the book or the merit of the movie or the character of the salesman. But Friday, about halfway through the evening, I realize the awards were not for those who had achieved a status. Those who were recognized were those that exemplified service, placing the needs of the department, their coworkers, and their city, before their own needs. From a reserve officer, retiring after decades of serving as a volunteer officer, to an officer who continued to work though undergoing chemotherapy, it was their hearts, their character, their dedication, their tenacity, their selflessness which has earned them the respect and honors for which they recognized Friday evening.
All around us, at every table, were officers and civilians, volunteer and career, who take very seriously their motto of protect and serve. Their job is more than a job, it really is a calling. And their co-workers are more than people they work with. They are family, deep and true. As the officers lay their lives on the line for our protection, they exemplify ultimate service to each of us. From the dispatchers to the records keepers, to the jailers to the myriad of other jobs that I am clueless about, they stand together, it support of each other and the citizens of the city they serve. Never doubt that many of America's finest may live just a few doors down from you. Never neglect an opportunity to say thank you. They don't just deserve it, they have earned it 10,000 ways every few days.
I am humbled at the examples that God has placed before me, people that I can see and touch and even hug. But today, our pastor reminded me that there was One who showed me the heart of service, not in healing Tammy or even in saving me for eternity, but by washing feet. Christ, during the last meeting He was ever to have with all twelve of His disciples, did something that would forever shake the definition of what it means to be "greatest among men." While His disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in God's coming Kingdom, the true ruler of that kingdom, lowered Himself, physically and in status, to serve their need - their feet were dirty, and they needed to be clean. The creator of all creation, in human form, knelt on the ground, and washed the feet of His closest companions. It is easy for us to imagine doing a humiliating and humble things for a friend, but Christ did it for the very person who would turn Him over to the ones who wanted Him dead. He got down on His knees with a bowl of water, picked up the dirty filthy foot of Judas, held it as He washed the filth of the road off of Judas' feet. Sweet friend, please realise, no matter where you have set yourself in the relationship with Jesus, no matter what you've done, no matter what you will do, Jesus would have done the same for you that night. What is He wanting to do for you now?
No comments:
Post a Comment