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8 March 2024
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Inspiration: Taking off the Helmet
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In the moments that we serve, we often forget our place...
We give, direct, lead and we make a difference... We solve others problems in a moment’s notice... But then we go home to our wives, our husbands and our families... We forget to take off the helmet, to remove our rank, to remember who we truly are... We give orders instead of giving love and support... We demand compliance with no Grace given to them when they fail... We answer questions too quickly instead of listening with our heart... We persist instead of being patient... We complete the list rather than trying to see where their real need is.. We answer abruptly instead of taking a moment to realise... The truth is: Our families need fathers not firefighters... Our children need their mother not managers... Our wives need husbands not heroes... Our husbands need wives not warriors... Our loved ones need us and their need is for who we truly are... Our families need a role model, a relationship and not regulations... Our children need leadership and guidance not forced compliance... Our marriages need nurturing and investment not neglect and name calling... Our titles are given to us by man, however, they might be earned... Our roles as spouses and parents are God given and must be cherished or they can be lost... The saves we make as firefighters pale in comparison to... The lives that we save by being a husband, a father, a wife, and a mother... Our badges are symbols of the commitment that we are sworn to uphold... Yet the names written on our hearts are the greatest commitment that we will be held accountable for... Let us not forget our place nor our calling... This doesn't mean we aren't to be great firefighters... It means that if we truly embrace our calling... We will be significant not successful in all things that we do... By placing our relationships first and our rank last... Our proper order and service should be our faith, our family and the fire service... May we take off the helmet when we return home but may we never take off the calling placed upon our hearts... For one day we will have to hang up our helmet but we shall never retire from leading, loving and serving our families... God Bless Andy J Starnes Bringing Back Brotherhood Ministries |