Many of us jumped out of our skins last night when our phones – for the first time ever – alerted us to the kidnapping of two local San Diego County children. My first reaction, after putting my heart back into my chest, determining where the screaming noise was coming from, and then finally comprehending what I was experiencing, went something like this:
THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER!!
As a mom, I would be thrilled to know that everyone who owns a smart-phone is now aware that my children are missing. What a sense of hope that would bring me, if I had any emotion left beyond horror and devastation to dare hope.
Imagine my surprise, then, as I read the complaints flying around this morning on Facebook (most from in-direct FB connections and not personal friends, I'm happy to say), about those Amber Alerts that went off last night. My first reaction after reading those posts and finally comprehending what I was experiencing went something like this:
SERIOUSLY PEOPLE!??!! A mom is murdered; the remains of another child and dog are found at the burned down home; and two children have been kidnapped by the murderer. You are seriously going to be irate that you were woken up from a deep sleep, or angry that the unfamiliar scream of the alert scared the heck out of you, or incensed at what you feel is an “invasion of privacy” when two children's lives are in danger, and their family - IF THEY HAVE ANY FAMILY LEFT - is devastated, horrified, and worried beyond understanding about them?
I am deeply grieved by the lack of care and concern shown in some of those posts. That I share the same time/space continuum with people who care so little for others that their "sleep" and "privacy" is more important than the safety of these two children or the loss they've already suffered makes me want to cry.
If you are one of those people who felt invaded by this alert, can I offer an alternate response and perspective? Once you’ve gathered your wits after jumping out of your chair when the alert goes off in the dead of night, read the details of the alert and then pray for everyone involved. After that, go back to sleep, or finish reading your book, or – heck – post the alert on Facebook so your friends can be witness to your care and concern for total strangers. Then sleep peacefully, knowing you’ve done all you can do at this point – and keep your eyes open on your drive to work the next morning for the make and model you received in the Amber Alert.
If you would rather not receive the alerts at all, you can disable them. Apple's iPhone has a setting under “Notifications for Government Alerts”. “Amber” and “Emergency” alerts are both listed, and can be turned off. Android users can go to “Messaging”, scroll down to “Emergency Message Settings”, and then select “Emergency Alerts”.
For those of you who, like me, consider this use of technology a gift and are willing to put up with the temporary but horrifying shock when the alerts go off – thank you! I sincerely appreciate knowing that you are willing to participate in the protection of my and my family’s health and welfare. And if, heaven forbid, you are ever the subject of an alert I receive, you can trust I will be praying for you and putting forth whatever effort is in my power to help.
Oh, and I’m HAPPY to be sharing this time/space continuum with YOU ;)
