By ALLEN FARLEY / Guest Columnist

Police Officers sacrifice precious time away from their
families so our communities can be safe enough for
mothers and children to go to church, school, the doctor’s office, the mall, you get the picture. As a 63-year-old retired cop, 37 years of protecting the people around me consumed a lot of my Christmas memories.
The 10th chapter of the Book of Acts tells the story of a
Roman soldier named Cornelius and his family. The story is about Cornelius and his family becoming the very first Gentiles to be baptized as believers in Christ.
Acts 10:2 states: He and all his family were devout and Godfearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.
Why would God choose a peacemaker to be the example
that his love and grace was available to all mankind?
Think about that a minute; God chose a man in uniform
and his family to send a message to the world about
racism.
Acts 10:34-35 states: Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism (35) but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
As America’s brave men and women serve around the
world in our nation’s armed forces, brave men and women in Law Enforcement are also serving 24/7 protecting our communities. From the streets of our smallest towns, to the streets of our big cities like New
York and Los Angeles, to military outposts around the world, men and women in uniform are sacrificing time away from their families every day, including Christmas, so other families can safely live the American dream.
Don’t ever forget: Freedom is not free.
Matthew 5:9 states: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”
God Bless America!!! and Happy New Year!
Allen Farley represents Jefferson and Shelby Counties in
the Alabama Legislature’s House District 15, and he can be reached at allenfarley@bellsouth.net.