Around 1989, after serving for about seven years, I received a great honor with my department. I was named one of the 100 Club Officers of the Year. It was a huge honor. It dealt with my work in an undercover capacity.
My family were guests' of honor at the banquet. When my name was called, I proceeded to the stage where I received the award. It was a two tone Rolex watch. In the center of the watch was the 100 Club emblem and my name was engraved on it. This was truly mine. The sadness in it all is that there are so many deserving first responders that never receive recognition for their time, efforts and sacrifices, making it even more meaningful for me.
Unfortunately, in 1997, the watch was "lost." It was lying on my night stand and I went to work that day without wearing it. I simply forgot it. When I returned home, the watch was gone! Lost-taken-gone! Besides my toddler son, there were only three people in the house that day and the watch did not walk off. I grieved the loss of that watch not because it was a Rolex but because of the significance of it for me.
I had my suspicions as to what happened to it but simply resigned to the idea that it meant nothing to that individual that took it and it was not coming back. This is one thing in life that was lost never to be recovered.
In 2012, my husband Mark bought me a used Rolex. Our hope was that we could duplicate my awarded watch. Since the 100 Club no longer issues these watches as awards, I contacted my friend Rick Hartley and asked if he could suggest where I could get a watch face with the 100 Club logo. He gave me a name and number to follow up on.
I delayed in calling and in the meantime, my Rolex remained in it's velvet wrap waiting to be worn. Every time I took it out to wear it, I would decide against it. Although it is a Rolex, the truth of the matter was that it was not that Rolex.
Once again, I have conceded to the fact that this is not my 100 Club Watch.
In life, there are many ideas about how we can receive eternal life. There are many religions, thoughts, ideas, rituals and advice on how to live eternally.
The truth of the matter, there is only one way. Just like there was only one 100 Club Rolex with my name engraved on it, there is only one way to Jesus Christ. God's Word says: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. [Acts 16:31 KJV]
Don't be fooled, don't be deceived, you can not duplicate the one true way to eternal no matter how hard you try!
The truth of the matter is that if you lose that opportunity to receive Christ, you will miss out on eternal life.
If you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord" and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Oh and my Rolex...it has found a new home.
