"Support Group"
May 28, 2018
Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
The world of five-year-old Dakota Pitt had been turned upside down.
His father, Rob, a 16-year veteran police officer in Terre Haute, Indiana, had been shot and killed by a 21-year-old man. Since the murder, the boy had been caught up in a whirlwind of activities: people had to be notified; plans for the funeral had to be finalized; he had been at the memorial service and had seen the great funeral procession honoring his father, and he had been there to see his father's casket lowered into the grave.
Five days after the shooting, Dakota's mother decided it was time for her son to go back to school and, as much as was possible, try to resume his normal life.
Dakota didn't argue about going to school, but he did put in a request: "Is it possible," he asked, "for one of dad's police friends to take me to school for the first time?"
It seemed like a reasonable request, so mom said she would see what she could do.
Sadly, when the day came for Dakota to go back, no officer came to Dakota's home. So, mother drove her boy to Sullivan Elementary School.
When they arrived at school, Dakota was overjoyed to see he hadn't been forgotten. Waiting for the boy, there was no less than 70 uniformed police. Wearing his father's badge, the boy walked past the honor guard and into school.
A spokesman for the officers said, "We wanted Dakota to know we will always have his back."
I began to think wouldn't it be nice if all of us knew there was someone who could be counted on to have our backs? Then I remembered, we do have exactly that, and more.
We who have been saved by the Savior's life, death, and glorious resurrection know that He has promised to be with us always. Elsewhere in Scripture, we are told nothing can separate us from the Lord's love.
Our verse which appears at the top of this devotion says much the same: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning."
Truly, it is a great thing to know we are the recipients of the forgiveness and love which comes from our faithful Lord.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, many of us have been blessed to have family and friends who keep us in their prayers and do all they can to support us and keep us safe. For them we give thanks. But most of all, we appreciate the Savior and the sacrifice He made so our sins might be forgiven and we would be assured of life eternal. For His faithful and ongoing presence in our lives, we are truly grateful. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Caitlin O'kane for CBS Ns on May 15, 2018, Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this https://www.cbsnews.com/news/5-year-old-boy-gets-police-escort-to-school-after-dad-dies-in-line-of-duty/
