Who came up with the term “social distancing”? Did they know
the weight of it? Did they know the burden it would bear? Did they know what we
would lose? Did it far outweigh what we gained?
Our
loss is tangible. What’s missing? The touch of a mother’s hand across her child’s
cheek. The beauty of a smile now hidden underneath. A handshake when meeting
someone for the first time. A hug between two well met friends. The embrace of
a loved one. A greeting hello. The silence is deafening. People don’t talk to
each other now. They avoid eye contact as if we could catch the virus with our
eyes. Fear runs rampant in the streets. Toilet paper flies off the shelves and
it leaves us wondering how did we get here and when are we going to get back
what we lost? We can’t. Life will never be the same. I don’t know what will be
different but it will never be the same. I will never be the same. Who I am
today is not who I was two months ago when this all started. I thought the
virus was something far away from me and before I knew it my workplace was
closed to the public. Before I knew it masks had to be worn everywhere you went
and I didn’t even know what COVID19 was. Now everything I do is marred by
antibacterial soap, hand sanitizer, hand washing, masks everything that is
supposed to keep me safe is locking people out of my life. Fear runs rampant
but there’s also the careful balance of love and good deeds. Not only have we
lost there are things we’ve gained. Kindness is also running rampant. People are
meeting in cars in the parking lots of hospitals praying for the staff. People
are doing car dance parties to provide some entertainment in the monotony of
staying inside. Children are making pizzas and delivering them for first
responders. Loved ones and teachers of high school graduates are bringing signs
of congratulations and staying outside encouraging their grads. (Insert here)
the acts of kindness you’ve witnessed. There’s the careful balance of the good
and the bad.
It’s given me an appreciation for so much in my life. One thing
I am most grateful for is my relationship with God. He loves me so much and he’s
protecting me from the virus. I bet you’re wondering where is God in all this?
Consider the following scripture.
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind?
Shall they not both fall into the ditch? Luke 6:39
Study note in my bible, This parable is a warning about
following the wrong person. Spiritually blind leaders mislead disciples (Holman
KJV Study Bible 2012).
God is the one leading us but so often we turn to others and
follow their ways. Are we the blind during this virus? I think we are blind to what
God is trying to do in us during this time. He’s working so many things out of
my heart. I have a new found appreciation for my employer and my staff. I appreciate
where I’m at in my walk with God. I have battled anxiety for years and I’m at
the finish line of anxiety; I can see the end of it. It used to be a mountain
in front of me and now it’s a pebble in my shoe, something so small I can kick
it out of the way as I run the race. I’m working in a different department
during this time helping with clerical work. It has me doing filing mostly and
it is pretty easy. I feel like it’s a nice break from being in charge because I’m
the boss where I normally work. However, I love what I do. I feel it is a
calling on my life and I can’t wait to get back to being in charge again
because God called me to be a leader. But during this time I’m taking a step
back and listening more than I speak. I want to see what can I hear when I let go
of the distraction of my ego.
So what’s life after COVID19 going to look like? We will
never get back to life the way it was but do we really want to? There are plenty
of things I miss but people no longer have the distractions of life weighing
them down. People are probably communicating more now than they ever have with
all the extra time at home. I don’t know what post COVID19 life looks like. I
don’t know how long it’s going to take but I pray that I don’t forget the
lessons I’ve learned. I never want to take life for granted ever again.
When this is all over I’m going to hug everyone I know and I’m
gonna hold on a little bit longer because I want them to feel the love I have
for them. I can’t wait to get back to church and see how my church family is
doing. I can’t wait to go to the movies and get some movie popcorn.
What about you dear reader? What do you miss most? What’s
the first thing you’re going to do once it’s all over? What have you learned
during this time? Please share your thoughts with me.
Genuinely Yours,
Amy Z
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