When I was a law enforcement officer, I served mostly on midnight shift. The shift was staffed by a tight knit group of people who always watched out for one another. It was enjoyable not having to get involved with some of the city politics or neighbor disputes known to occupy the other shifts. Although it could be exceedingly quite at times, the type of calls could prove diverse and challenging. Yet when all was said and done, most officers on mids were like me. No matter how much the work energized them, they couldn’t wait for the dawn – a chance to survive the night and get home safely.

It has probably always been that way. Look at Psalm 130. It captures our universal hunger for God’s help by comparing it to a watchman waiting for the dawn:

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
⁶ my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.

As a former law enforcement officer, particularly a midnight officer, that passage has always resonated with me. As we face hardships, suffering and death, we wait for the hope that comes with dawn. Ultimately, it isn’t just about our getting home safely. We hunger for a better world.

In that spirit, I am offering a new blog primarily for law enforcement and first responders. It will remain public, but it likely will resonate more with those who have shared this experience.

Welcome to Midnights LEO! We are waiting for the dawn together.

Find the podcast, Midnights LEO, with additional content at: anchor.fm/midnightsleo

If you want to see additional content by Chaplain Lou Florio, visit his personal blog and podcast:

2pennyblog.wordpress.com and anchor.fm/2pennyblog

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations for this post are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) translation.

© 2022 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.

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Although I have served or do serve as a spiritual counselor, a chaplain, and/or ordained minister, I am not your counselor nor a medical professional. All content on this website and podcast is provided for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical, psychological, or spiritual advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client or pastor-congregant relationship. Although on this website and podcast, we strive to provide accurate general information, the information found through these posts are not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this content. Always consult a professional in the area of your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical, financial or tax-related decisions. Opinions expressed by the host or guests do not necessarily reflect those of any other person or entity.