People who choose law enforcement for a career find that it is both hard and rewarding. You deal constantly with the worst of society, and the best of society. It is very easy to only see the bad, and not the good. Then, by only seeing the bad you become suspicious of everyone. But there is good in this world and good honest people.
As law enforcement police officers, you deal with thieves, murders, liars, forgers, drug dealers, and all kinds of corruption. Also you must deal with death.
Death has always been a subject people ignore. People are being born every day and people are dying every day. But it's something we ignore unless it affects our family or circle of friends. But death is a fact of life! As police officers, every day there is the possibility of death on your watch. Yes, death is an unavoidable fact of life.
Even for people who believe in God find that dealing with death is not easy. However, Christianity does bring comfort and closure. As Christians, we believe in eternal life in heaven after death. God is kind, merciful, compassionate, and forgiving. Just to know this brings great comfort.
Especially when death touches one of our own it's so difficult to deal with. We visit and are there, but what can we say? It is more important we are there for each other. To the grieving, just you being there has such great value. You send a message that says, "I can't do anything, but I am here for you. At this point words are not as important as you being there.
Life must go on. The pain and suffering will continue for a time, but life must go on. Time is a great healer and friends are priceless. We need to work to occupy our time and help with the healing process.
When things look the darkest, don't look down, but up. We draw on an inner strength that we don't realize we have. Death of a loved one draws those who are living closer together. This is an event in life that all of must face from time to time.
Our faith at death, teaches not to ask why, but our faith gives us strength to accept what has happened. Our faith will sustain us and get us through the most tragic things in life. At these times, our faith is the most important strength that we have.
Death is the last enemy we must overcome in this life. We have no choice because we will all die someday. But, we are still alive and will overcome and go on.
Chaplain Bud
Where do great leaders come from? Why have there been so few great leaders in history? These are questions we need to ask and seek answers.
Great leaders in the past have always come from the common people. They all have had one thing in common, a cause. Most of them did not seek fame or glory but took a stand and paid the price to become great leaders.
Men like George Washington or Abe Lincoln were put in impossible situations but they were willing to do the impossible with honesty and integrity. Great men of the past were men willing to sacrifice all for the cause of America.
The great leaders of the past were great persuaders who could convince people to follow them. People who have no following are not leaders. Great leaders are not always the most popular, but are willing to do the right thing for their country.
Another mark of a great leader is how they handle defeat. Able Lincoln was a good example of how to handle defeat. Again and again he ran for office, only to be defeated. But when he ran for President of the United States, the people knew he was the man for the job. His common sense was his greatest tool to win the peoples' vote. A common man, with a common cause, made Abe Lincoln one of our greatest leaders in history. He was a great statesman who saved our country from a bitter split and economic disaster. Most great leaders have a humble or even a hard up-bringing. They are a product of hard working people who understand life's tests. They learned early that the cost to succeed in this world was hard work. They also understood and taught their families that you receive what you earn.
History seems to record that great leaders appear at just the right time. I believe that happens because that leader was prepared and willing for that time. Prepared people are always ready when the call comes. That's what makes them so special, and so few.
Great leaders begin in a good solid family setting. The parents are able somehow to help develop the character, talents, and gifts of the children. They provide guidance and opportunities for the children to grow into greatness. It's the family values that become the foundation for the future of the children.
Today, as you read this writing, somewhere in America a great leader is being prepared. Only God knows who it may be, but someone or more than one are going to someday be a great leader.
We must put our efforts into good families who produce good offspring. That's where great leaders come from.
Chaplain Bud,
Every year the whole world's eyes are on Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Not because of a war, floods, or tornados, but because of children. Yes, children who play a game called baseball.
Baseball is the simple game that can unite over 8000 children to play and then have 16 teams end up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Yes, there will be a world champion, but these kids are winners just to get here. It is a dream of a lifetime.
Just to think that one man and a few kids decided to have a field and play baseball like the adults do. Little did the man, Carl, have any idea how far this act of kindness would go. From a humble beginning to what has developed over the years is unbelievable.
Little League World Series is about families. They come to Williamsport by the thousands to watch the kids in action. Every little league team around the world dreams of a trip to Williamsport, not only as a player, but as a visitor as well. The end of August brings all those hours of practice and travel to a close. Some of the players will go on to play in college and maybe the big leagues, but most will just have those precious memories of Williamsport, and the Little League World Series.
We who live here may not understand the work and effort that goes into Little League Baseball. First, the vast amount of money that must be raised and budgeted for the organization is huge. There are numerous networks of teams, districts, and regions around the world. The volunteers and families spend much time during the summer so their kids can play this game called baseball.
It's also about the safety of the children. They can pitch only so many pitches, to protect their arms, and the safety helmets, bases that release, and many other safety rules. Some of these, like the helmets, have been adopted by the major leagues.
Little league is far more than just playing the game, its character building and learning to obey rules. It is team work. It's respect for umpires, and respect for coaches. Little lives can be changed and prepared for adulthood by playing sports. It's amazing how many major league players credit little league for preparing them for the future.
Little league is a good example of the value of teamwork and good leadership. There is a lesson here for all of us. The lesson is simple; loners will fail but it takes team work to succeed. The children also have something that so many adults have lost. They have joy. Life is still fun to them and I pray that they never lose it.
Maybe "Little League World Series" every year reminds us all of what life is all about; family, friends, and fun.
Chaplain Bud