As a shepherd who ministers to wolves, this is a calculated move turning the lights off on this environment.
Why would you darken a terrain where security for the public is at concern? Locals, tourists, young women all over the place returning from nightclubs to hotels, and oh yeah… the homeless.
Every night about sunset I head to the boardwalk to meet with my family. The rough edges of my family. Usually the time of the day I have the most fun. People who stay mobile that time of day come by. Everybody checks on everybody. Resources are shared. Needs are met.
We watch over the tourists. While most of them walk by without making eye contact, a few smile. Or did when the lights were on and we didn’t look like menacing shadows.
This is a fear move against the public at very least.
When the lights were on and bright until a few nights ago, the public could see the shepherd and the combat vets and the wolves who would never let a woman be hurt in their presence.
Last night, even in the dark m, a young couple was out in the dark calling for their dog. There were four of us huddled nearby and we called them over to inquire. One of us was going to be at that bench all night so told them to feel comfortable checking back.
I told them I am a minister and have a phone. I have a phone because my daughters wanted to stay in touch with me bad enough to pay to keep it on. I told them to text me photos and I would share them around with my people in the neighborhood.
I also told her I would ask my Father for them to be reunited. We didn’t see the puppy. We kept an eye out and shared intel as the family passed each other traversing our days.
I wasn’t able to do anything to help these people.
My Father, however, after a very long night and morning for the separated family…
Big scary dangerous must be mentally ill addicted criminal mind I am.
Everything done in the dark will be brought to the light.
Dogs are important. So is family.
Great swell of pity when they come.
I know you are documenting us. Are you even trying to blend in?
These children do not need to understand the protections they are under as my family. They have faith and an understanding of how to invoke such protections.
Forty plus days and nights sitting here saying come challenge me, come rebuke me with scripture, come let me teach you what is written so you can decide for yourself.
Cat and mouse and you turning off the lights.
You in touch with your future Ai team?
You learn the comms?
Radio signals aren’t much affected by darkness.
Neither is me seeing what is going on and anticipating your next stumble.
I have people to protect so tactical games to play.
If I’m not speaking to you sometimes here don’t worry.
It’s a little intel media game we play.
Minister.
Journalist.
Tomorrow I start showing you instead of telling you.
Tonight I’m going to fall asleep thanking my Father for the protection of my family here, the protection of my family everywhere, the martyrs, the saints, and the one who is under His wing until we are reunited.
My lost sheep are even coming back.
Staying up late tonight. Not ‘cuz the cowards who may come cloaked in this darkness. To do my part to protect the civilians that are being plunged into darkness and fear tonight on the coast.