In October 1993, I learned that I had been accepted to the San Antonio Police Academy. A few weeks before starting, I met a wonderful girl and began dating her. Everything was great, or so I thought. Ten weeks into my 26-week police training, I suffered an injury. During a take-down technique, I broke my ankle. I was unable to continue with my training and I was placed on light duty so I could recover. I continued dating the wonderful girl who was extremely supportive and encouraging during my recovery. In the summer of 1994, I began another police academy class. Everything was going great, or so I thought once again. On the 23rd week of training, three weeks before my scheduled graduation, I suffered another injury. This time I tore the ligaments on my right knee, which required me to have surgery. I was later told that I would not be allowed to graduate with my class and had to decide if I wanted to resign or face termination. Needless to say, I was devastated. I decided to resign from the police academy, keeping open the possibility that I might be able to apply again someday. It took me about a year to fully recover from my injury, and I was very grateful to have the love and support of the wonderful girl who had begun this journey with me. My recovery was very difficult. The initial surgery was followed by an additional surgery to remove scar tissue. I experienced every emotion possible during my recovery. I experienced times of sadness, loneliness, anger, and a sense of failure.
Toward the end of my recovery, I began to consider reapplying for the police academy. I recall one evening when my cousin came to visit. She told me that God had revealed something to her. My cousin told me that God had revealed to her that it was not that God did not want me to be a police officer, He just didn’t want me to become an officer without Him in my life. I got extremely angry when she told me this. I told her to get away and never to tell me that again. I mentioned to her that everyone else was making it through the academy and that I would also.
I eventually reapplied to the police academy. Unlike the first time I applied, this time I faced some challenges simply being accepted to the police academy. I then recalled the words my cousin had spoken to me. One evening, I had simply had enough. I realized that I could not do things on my own and that I needed God to help me. I prayed to God and acknowledged that I needed Him. I told him, “Here I am. I can’t do this on my own.” I was amazed how God began to open doors. I was accepted to the police academy. This time with God by my side and directing me, He allowed me to complete my training in April of 1998.
As a result of this experience, God has revealed a few things to me. Now I realize what He meant when He said that He did not want for me to be a police officer without Him. One thing God was trying to show me was that the girl I had begun dating a few weeks prior to beginning this journey was the one He had chosen to be my wife. I thank God for placing stumbling blocks in front of me. He revealed to me what a beautiful and wonderful person JoAnne was. You see, He slowed me down just enough to show me. JoAnne and I have been married for over ten years now and are blessed with two wonderful daughters, Alicia and Gabriella.
Once on patrol, I quickly realized another reason why God wanted my attention. Yes, at times it can be dangerous out there and I thank God for His constant protection over me, but there were other reasons. I believe God wanted me to have more than just a job as a police officer. He wanted my job to also be my ministry. I quickly came in contact with people who didn’t only need a police officer, but also were in need of someone to minister to them. I can’t tell you how many times I found myself ministering to people while on a call. I thank God for those opportunities.
With God’s help, I recently got promoted to detective. One thing that really concerned me about accepting the promotion was that I would have little choice as to which unit I would end up in, much less which shift or days off I would have. The last thing I wanted was to end up somewhere that would interfere with being able to attend church with my family. I asked several people at church to pray with me about it. Not only did God come through, He showed off! I ended up in a great unit with great hours and Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays off.
I thank God for His love and for breaking me in more ways than one. God got my attention because He wanted to reveal His will and purpose for my life. I sure am glad that I chose to do things God’s way and not my way. I can honestly say that God has blessed me in a tremendous way. Every day I continue to see how He is working in my life. I believe God is not done with me yet. Every day He continues to show me that His will and His timing are best.
Manuel
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