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Blue Bloods
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by Tommy Deal
here are TV shows that I have come to enjoy, some
Some of my favorite family memories revolve around
for their content, some for their humor, and mostly
the family dinner table. Whether it was at Grandmamma
all for their entertainment. Those which are my
and Granddaddy Daniel’s on Sunday afternoon, the Deal
“favorites,” I set up the DVR so I don’t miss them. Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck, is one of my favorites.
clan coming from all over to the Deep Creek Community Hall, or at Mom and Dad’s, eating a meal together brought
It is a typical cop show set in New York City. It is about
us together. We would joke, share stories, and learn about
somewhat real stories of real people in the profession of law
our family history. I also learned I was accepted and loved,
enforcement in the big city.
and that everyone around the table was part of my family. The Blue Bloods family argues over how to uphold the Law, and sometimes disagree profusely. Although, one thing is sure: differences do not divide them. No one is divorced from the family because of their expressed opinions, views on how the world revolves, or who is in an elected office. I wish I could say that is true for my family.Although, I am not thinking of my family of blood and marriage. I am thinking of my faith family. I have witnessed too many occurrences when brothers and sisters who feast at the same table of our LORD Jesus Christ differ on issues of politics or interpretation of Scripture. Sometimes, we grow from these dialogues and get up from the table still apart of the family. However, there are times that sadden our LORD as He
The episodes are centered around a family who is
watches His family differ on issues in which they cannot
involved in every level of crime fighting. One son was a
continue to love one another, cannot accept someone who is
rookie cop and has now become a Sergeant. Another is a
different than themselves, who cannot fathom that someone
tenured detective. One son died in the line of duty and
who believes “that way” can really be a Christ-follower. In
the daughter is a prosecutor in the District Attorney’s
essence, they subscribe to the “divorce-is-the-only-solution”
office. The father, played by Selleck, is the Police
philosophy and our collaborative witness to a world
Commissioner. Oh, and if that isn’t enough, his father is a
needing Grace is too often lost.
retired police commissioner. What I have come to look forward to in each episode is
Isn’t the Christian faith built around blood? Haven’t we heard: “blood is thicker than water?” How is it that these Blue
when the entire family gathers together around the dinner
Bloods exhibit how to live with differences better than those of us
table at their father’s house. There is normal sibling banter
who are washed in the red blood of Jesus Christ?
going on, inquisitive young children trying to figure out
Abba! Father! Help us be family!
usually offering calming words. What impresses me most is that they are being a family.
36 // July 2021
About The Author
some of the “code talk” the adults are using, and Grandpa Rev. Tommy Deal is a former hospice Chaplain with Hamilton Hospice in Dalton, Georgia. After almost forty years of ministry for him and his wife, Rev. Susan Deal, have just moved to Virginia to be near their children and grandchildren.
