Staying Aware, Staying Anchored
Situational Awareness for Women: Kelsey Smith’s Story
On June 2, 2007, Kelsey Smith, an 18-year-old just graduated from high school, went to a Target store in Overland Park, Kansas, to buy a gift for her boyfriend. Target video footage shows her being followed. However, it was just an ordinary Saturday in broad daylight. As she loaded her purchases into her car, she was abducted in the parking lot, later found murdered.
Kelsey’s parents, devastated by their loss, turned their grief into purpose by creating the Kelsey Smith Foundation, dedicated to teaching situational awareness and personal safety to prevent similar tragedies.
Details of this case can be found here: Kelsey Smith Case Story
Why This Matters for Us
Kelsey’s story is heartbreaking and frightening. Yet it reminds us of a hard truth: danger does not only exist in dark alleys; it can appear in the places we consider safe.
As people of faith, we know we live in a fallen world. Proverbs 27:12 says:
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”
God calls us to trust Him fully while also using wisdom and practical action to protect ourselves and those we love.
✅ Action Steps You Can Take Today
1️⃣ Practice Active Awareness.
When you enter or exit stores, pause and scan your surroundings. Is anyone lingering near your car or watching you? Do you feel uneasy about someone’s behavior?
2️⃣ Avoid Distractions.
Keep your phone in your pocket while walking to your car. Look up, stay present, and make eye contact with people around you.
3️⃣ Plan Ahead.
Park in well-lit areas. Before leaving the store, have your keys ready. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, return to the store and ask for an escort or wait for the area to clear.
4️⃣ Teach Your Family.
Share these principles with your children, especially your daughters, using age-appropriate conversations about awareness, safety, and faith.
5️⃣ Pray for Discernment.
Ask God for wisdom and protection as you go about your day. Pray for your family to have courage and awareness without fear.
Faith Reflection
As believers, we are not called to live in fear, but we are called to be wise stewards of the life God has entrusted to us. Taking practical safety steps is not a lack of faith; it is a way to honor God while caring for ourselves and others.
Call to Action
If you found this helpful, would you forward it to a friend, daughter, or parent you care about? Let’s honor Kelsey’s memory by living aware and equipping others to do the same.
📬 If you haven’t subscribed yet, click here to receive future faith-based personal safety insights directly in your inbox.
Stay safe, stay aware, and stay anchored.
— Jim
P.S. I’d love your input!
Which of these would help you most in future articles?
1️⃣ What safety situations do you worry about most for yourself or your family?
2️⃣ What do you wish you knew about trusting your instincts in public places?
3️⃣ Are there faith questions you wrestle with around fear and safety?
Hit reply and let me know, or comment below. I want to ensure Instinct & Insight truly serves you.
Great tips! Another one I use when out shopping alone, is to load up my groceries and myself as quickly as possible, locking the car doors immediately when I get inside. Then I exit the parking lot as quickly as possible, trying to minimize opportunity for anyone to approach my window!