The Missing Piece

Amber Alerts, BOLO (Be On The Lookout), 🚨missing posters, and search teams 🔍 scouring neighborhoods for a missing person—I’ve seen and heard it all. While employed as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, I encountered various opportunities that deepened my understanding of my role. One such opportunity was a police ride-along, 🚓 which lasted a few days. I enjoyed it so much that I considered becoming an officer for a while. It was nothing like what I saw on the Cops TV show; 😆 that’s when I realized the police force was not for me. This was serious. I vividly remember my training officer receiving a call about a missing child, and we immediately headed to the address. As we drove through the neighborhood, all the colors 🟡🟩 and descriptions of the child raced through my mind. Hearing the frantic cries of parents and family members, I couldn’t help but think about where the child could have gone so quickly and how this could have been prevented. The parent’s heart-wrenching words echoed in my ears: "I looked away for just a second." 😭

One second is all it takes for something preventable to become a nightmare. That’s why I’m here now: to share practices that can help prevent people from going missing and aid in locating those who are lost. Honestly, I’m tired of seeing missing person flyers—not because I don’t want these individuals found, but because it breaks my heart 💔 to know that something could have been done to prevent it. Often, these tragedies occur due to a lack of knowledge, and that’s what I hope to change. By sharing what I’ve witnessed and learned, I aim to empower you with the information needed to keep your loved ones safe. 

In my previous line of work and personal life, I’ve found a few practices that truly make a difference in ensuring safety and preparedness. Taking safety or self-defense classes 👊💪 to protect yourself in dangerous situations is invaluable. Understanding the best techniques for your body type and how to use your weapons 🔫 can be life-saving. Self-defense isn’t just physical; it’s also spiritual. Prayer can be another powerful tool in your arsenal. 🙏 By tearing down spiritual barriers, you can fight more effectively. Another practice I highly recommend is establishing a family code word. This is one of my favorites! A family code is a unique word known only to your family, and it is to be used only if someone needs help but may not be able to express it. With this cue, you'll know when to act without having to play the guessing game on if the person needs help. 

Additionally, using location-sharing apps or devices 📱is a simple yet effective way to keep track of family members. Ensuring that at least one trusted person knows your whereabouts at all times can provide peace of mind. I am particularly grateful for these devices. When my husband was involved in a severe car accident and couldn’t speak, our location-sharing app allowed me to find him at the scene much faster than I would have otherwise. Without this technology, reaching him in time would have been much more difficult. Incorporating these practices into your daily routine can enhance your family’s safety. 👪

If we stay ready, we won't have to get ready! 💯 Being vigilant about our surroundings is crucial for reducing the risk of becoming lost or encountering danger. One of my pet peeves is seeing adults letting their children walk behind them in public.😡 How can we see what’s happening behind us? How can we be sure they’re still there? It’s so important to be more vigilant. Keep your child or children walking beside you or in front, always within arm’s reach. We need to do better to protect our little ones. Awareness helps us to identify potential risks and take preventive measures. In today's technology-driven world, we know it's easy to get distracted by our phones and miss important cues. But by staying alert, we can effectively maneuver unexpected situations.

The ultimate solution to all our challenges is found in Jesus ✝—every answer we seek, He provides. Even if the response isn’t immediate or in the way we expect, persistence in prayer will bring clarity and understanding. So many years I would hear people say to never question God, well how will we ever get an answer? Ask him. After exhausting our own efforts, we must recognize that Jesus is the missing piece in our lives. He belongs at the center of our existence, guiding and fulfilling us. By placing Him back in His rightful place, we open ourselves to His love and wisdom to help navigate through tough situations like this.

I encourage you to continue to share those missing flyers and posts 🔂 so we can get the word out about those missing. If you have the smallest detail of information call the law enforcement agency or the tip line whichever you're most comfortable with. I also challenge us to not scroll past those Amber alerts 🚩but really read and be on the lookout, especially if it's in your city.  Know that you are not alone and prayers from across the globe are being offered for you. 🙌

Lord, we thank you for your goodness and we know there is nowhere we can go that you don't see us. You know all about us, you know our next thought before we think it. You made us in your image and you love us so much. I pray that you will cover every missing person in your blood. I pray that you will make a safe way of escape for them. I pray that the angels of the Lord will reveal to your people the locations, addresses, and pictures of those who are being held captive. May we be sensitive to your Holy Spirit so that will we retain all the information you download before us. Give us deeper capacity. May the peace of our Father rest upon the weary hearts, and continue to give us wisdom and guidance concerning our loved ones. Lord we place them in your hands and we trust in you, in Jesus' name, Amen. 🤍

See you on the next blog Wednesday! 

You are a bloomer. Bloom baby bloom, with me Tee! 😌