As many of you know, our son, David, was a Phoenix Police Officer who was killed in the line of duty on May 19, 2016. These last 4 months have been the most difficult and painful time of my life.
One of the ways God has comforted me is through this truth – ” A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” Job 14:5.
God has already decided which day will be the last day of your life here on earth and mine.
Knowing this helped me let go of my mother when she passed away 11 years ago. We had a very close relationship and she was my role-model for how a Christian woman lives her life faithful to God – all the way to her last breath here on earth. I realized, if God wanted her in heaven with him, then that’s what I wanted for her.
Ten years ago I found myself in ICU with twelve blood clots in my lungs – a life-threatening situation. God told me clearly that I wasn’t going to die from that and I didn’t – even though 5 doctors told me the blood clots should have killed me.
It just wasn’t my day.
I know that God has reasons for picking May 19 as Davey’s final day here on earth. I may never understand those reasons but I trust God. And, since God wants him in heaven, that’s what I want for him.
Knowing that this date was determined before Davey was born helps me avoid needless regrets…like –
- I wish he hadn’t gone on that call.
- It wouldn’t have mattered. This was his day.
- I wish he hadn’t gone to work that day.
- It would have happened no matter what he was doing.
- I wish he hadn’t been a police officer.
- He was born to be a police officer and he died honorably, serving his community and doing what he loved to do. He wouldn’t have wanted to live or die any other way.
It was decided. There is no ‘wishing’ something else had happened. God decreed the number of Davey’s days here on earth and then he took Davey home.
Now, standing a foundation of God’s love and strength and grace, the rest of us are left on the earth to figure out how to move forward. We need to figure out why we’re still here – what is God’s purpose for keeping us here? And then we need to do it….until the day arrives that is already decided for us.
Meanwhile, through the tears, we focus on loving God and loving each other.
A bigger chunk of my heart is now in heaven with you, Abba Father.
Come with me on a Journey through the Bible 
Thank you Judy for sharing this. We can never understand why our children are taken. For me I see Gods hand in the plan but this is many years later. I pray for you and your family. Stephanie N
Thank you for your prayers, Stefanie. I’m hoping God will reveal his purposes as we move forward, trusting in his goodness.
Beautifully written words of truth. May God comfort your family as you go on without David. I am the wife of a Phoenix police officer, I know that God is in control and works for the good of those who love Him but that doesn’t make life necessarily pleasant all the time. Thank you for encouraging me by sharing your faith and story. (P.s. that sad day I told my 6 year old daughter that the officer we had been praying for passed away she said, “he gets to go be with Jesus!”. I had the honor of attending David’s Christ honoring service. Blessings to you and the whole family.
Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I will include your family in my prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for your prayers!💙💙
Beautifully said. I have a Davey too who is a police officer also. A job I feel he was born to do. God bless you and your sons service. Such sacrificial love only pours from a heart that loves Jesus and knows that he loves them.
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Your beautiful words along with this shared passage, ” A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.” Job 14:5, has made it clearer to me and to accept those who was sent home before me. Even through the memories, tears, and pain, I will accept God’s plan.
Thank you for sharing and for the valuable eye opening, food for thought, insight. No doubt I will reflect back on your words, this day of reading, and this passage when God forbid it is needed again. God bless.
Thanks for your encouragement, Valerie. God uses his precious word to bring truth into our lives. This passage brings comfort and acceptance. Other passages grow our wisdom. It’s truly amazing how God speaks to our hearts whenever we seek him. Unfortunately, we will need this passage again. It has never been more clear to me that this place is not our home. May God bless you, too!
Deepest sympathy for your loss. My husband was seriously shot on duty and shouldn’t have survived. I wish I had a dollar for everytime I was told it wasn’t his time.
Thank you, Michelle. I am constantly reminded that God is God and I am not💙💙
You will never know how much you’ve helped me by this posting, I Thank You so very much …you are a Blessing…really.
You’re welcome! May God bless you!💙💙
Our grand-daughter lost her dearest friend a short while ago, and this is comforting to know that God’s plan is being worked out in the husband and 4yr old daughter she left also…we still want to say why, but yet we see how God is working now through her memory. We cannot walk without God in this life with its sorrows and losses. We must continue to praise His Name.
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Mrs. Glasser, I did not know Dave well, but for a few months I was entertained by his humor in the weight room at the Estrella Precinct during morning workouts.
I am also a believer that God has a set time for each of us, and that belief made my time with Phoenix a little easier, knowing that the friends that were taken, were taken according to God’s perfect plan.
Dave, from what I know, was a great man, in faith, kindness and stature. I am grateful for the interactions we had. I am hopeful that God is continuing to work in the lives of Dave’s family, and that their pain will eventually be eased.
May God bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Mike! May God richly bless you and your family as well.💙💙
May your son officer glasse rip..he will never be forgotten..thks for his service and all the officers who have gone before him …my fsther was a officer too and every day was a sruggle..god bless all phx police and your family
Mrs. Glassar . Beautifully said. Have son on PPD and also lost a young Daughter to a Senseless Murder nearly 20 years ago. I appreciate David’s Service and Sacrifice. So Happy to see your Strong Faith has carried you thru these traumatic times. Continue to share your thoughts with others, as it can only help bring Peace to others…Particularly Familes of Fellow Officers. God Bless. Dave Butler.
Thank you for the encouragment, Dave! May God bless you and your family as well.💙💙
Thank you Judy for reminding us that He is greater than we are and though we don’t always understand what His plan is, we must be Obedient in our faith.
As a fellow MVHS Alum, David’s passing hit close to home. My Dad was also a teacher on campus and was saddened that such a young life with so much to offer. Davis was truly a man among men, a giver, and someone who strived to not only make difference….but to be the difference.
I had the pleasure of meeting many of your family at the fundraiser held downtown and my heart broke for all of you, but the poise and grace that was exhibited by all your family in thanking those who were there to honor David was truly moving. As you know- no thanks was necessary to any of us this was us being there for David and you all.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Thank you for putting something so powerful into words.
Our prayers and thoughts will always be with you all.
Thank you so much for your kind words about David and my family, Brian. David’s influence on us has not ended- his ‘Love you’s’ are still repeating in our hearts and souls- reminding us to make our relationships our priorities. Thank you for your prayers!💙💙
Judy your post really touched me today. It helped me put my issues in perspective and give them to the Lord. I’m sure Davey touched the lives of many in ways you will never know. I pray for you each morning as you wake up and realize Davey is in heaven. Thank you for sharing. I smile as I look at the picture of your mother and remember her spirit and contagious laugh. May God continue to bless your family.
Thank you, Sheri! I really appreciate the encouragement and your prayers. It’s special to me to hear you talk about my mom because you spend quite a lot of time with her as we grew up. Love you!💙💙
He will always be remembered by the Family in Blue…May David Rest in Peace…
Thank you!💙💙
Judy, I came to the same conclusion that you did when my son was in the Marine Corps.
He was sent to Iraq as part of Desert Storm. Of course Ron and I were terrified for him. But I came to understand that …”It was decided.” It gave me a great deal of comfort to know that he was in God’s hands and I was just to pray for him.
Many of the pilots he worked with perished but fortunately for us he did not. I do not know your pain but I do know fear.
God bless you and your family as you walk through this Valley.
P.S. the cross that was created in David’s name and that you have donated to the church is awesome. It is wonderful the Legacy that David has left.
Love ya Dahling!
Betty Boop
Thank you, Betty! I think the cross is awesome, too! Love you!
Dear Judy, Your post really touched me. I am a retired Phoenix Police Officer, my Date of Hire was May 19, 1975, that date will always be etched in my mind. I had a wonderful career on the Phoenix Police Department, I loved it every day. Throughout my career, I knew that I was making a difference in our community and what I did mattered. Not many people have the good fortune to say that about a 27 year career.
One of my favorite assignments was while working in the Police Employment Services Bureau. We recruited, screened, and hired new Police Recruits. That assignment gave me great joy. When we hired a new recruit, I knew that they were entering into one of the most amazing and honorable professions. It would be one that they would love to do every day and no two days would ever be the same. The experiences and opportunities a young recruit could have would last a lifetime, especially the retirement. However, there was always a little trepidation in the back of my mind. Our city was changing, our streets were getting more violent and dangerous. I knew there was a possibility that some might not live to see that retirement. I knew that all too well, because my Bureau also coordinated with the surviving family members of an officer who was killed in the line of duty. Grieving families who were still in shock, just trying to make it thru the funeral, the media, the planning, people just like you. It broke my heart.
I am so sorry that you lost your beautiful son, David. I never met him, but I know that he was one of the very best, we only hired the very best. I can’t begin to imagine the loss that you felt that day and every day, thereafter. I wanted to tell you that your Blog Post, “It has been decided…..” was one of the most poignant explanations of death that I have read ever read. The passage in Job 14:5 really does take it out of our hands and places that loss directly into the hands of God. I have saved your Blog and plan to share it with others who are dealing with a loss. I hope that iit will provide some amount of comfort during and after the loss of someone you so dearly loved.
Thank you for your comments and encouragement! I have found some peace as I focus on the fact that God has plan, God is in control. I also have a new understanding of the honor and challenge involved in a career as a police officer. We have felt very loved and cared for by our Family in Blue. Our Employee Assistance Squad has been phenomenal and they continue to support us as we figure out how to move forward with this big hole in our lives. Thank you for your prayers.