Let’s talk about friends! During the world shutting down, the government decided we shouldn’t have any time with others, no support from family or friends. Stay far apart, very far apart, let’s kill all small businesses but Walmart can stay open and all other big business. Don’t drive anywhere, don’t go out - you can go to a park and hang out with whoever is there but you can’t meet a friend there. You can go for a walk with friends but do not meet in the privacy of your own home or yard. And do not stop on your walk to slow your breathing and chat - oh no, please continue to walk, breathe hard and share alllll your germs.
Friends and family, how are you? How are you doing? Are you checking in on your neighbours? Do they know you care? Do they have groceries? Do you? Are your lights staying on? Do you need help of any kind?
Or are you looking on your neighbours to call the government hotline and tell on them? Don’t be that guy.
Can I remind all of us that our neighbours are the ones we see everyday, our neighbours are the ones we borrow sugar from or eggs. Our neighbours look out for our children and homes and yards, they report it if someone suspicious is hanging around. Sometimes neighbours turn into our greatest supporters and friends and yes, sadly our neighbours can become our greatest annoyances or worse.
Good neighbours are better than gold. They are there, everyday. Be a good neighbour.
Back to friends. Have you been sheltering in place? Have you been avoiding loved ones out of fear? Have you shut down along with the economy and everything else? Have you been social distancing or wearing a mask everywhere (your own car included?) now here’s the thing - I’m not judging you. I want you to feel confident and safe. I want you to feel full of joy, anxiety and fear free. So here’s some truth. Germs exist. Immune systems exist. And God knows the exact numbers of our days, nothing is hidden from Him. We can take comfort in those things. God made our bodies to fight diseases and sicknesses and we live in a day and age where we have access to medicine, vitamins, fresh air, the ability to exercise etc. Covid is a virus, there are many viruses out there. We know it is important to wash our hands before we eat, to eat healthy foods, move our bodies, to get outside and breathe fresh air and get some sun daily for vitamin D. These are simple things that most of us can do. But another important thing for us as humans are hugs, love, conversation, living life in community. This is how God made us.
I think that during these times it is important to keep up your relationships. Reach out, we need each other. I also think it’s important to respect the boundaries of those around us. Some people NEED to social distance, wear a mask, hand sanitize, etc to feel safe right now. Respect your friends boundaries, check in on them, text, call, FaceTime them. Don’t drop them just because they are believing or behaving differently than you. Care for those you love and care for those you don’t even know. For example, I wear a mask in public out of kindness and respect for those that will feel safe because of it. On the flip side of that are those who NEED conversation, stranger or friend - stay if you can, lend your ear and remember you have a choice, you have boundaries and you know what makes you feel safe - do that in kindness.
We also have friends who NEED the company, the face to face, the coffee and conversation. They need to move in your presence and there is nothing wrong with this. We are all made for community, love, friendship. Do not be afraid of those friends who need your physical presence but be wise. Wash your hands, if you are sick or they are sick stay home - this is normal behaviour - if you or someone close to you has had the flu you stay home so you don’t spread it around.
Do not feel ashamed; if you have covid it’s okay. You would not feel shame if you got a cold or the flu or pneumonia etc, let us not feel shame over Covid. It is a virus to overcome, to heal and recover from. Do we want it? NO! But we also don’t want a cold or flu.
If you hear anything please hear this. You are loved, you are precious, we need you here on planet earth and you are special and unique. Have your boundaries, be kind, respect others and be respected in return.
If you disagree with someone you can always leave - you don’t HAVE to engage in an argument or dispute. You can have your beliefs and point of view but it isn’t on you to try and force someone else to think like you, agree with you etc. It is our job as people to be kind to those we come across in our daily lives. To look out for and help each other. To love each other.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
We can do this dear ones, we can love one another and be kind, we can be joyful and bring peace, we can be patient with each other, we can be gentle and practise self control.
Keep seeking healing and sunshine ☀️
Laura
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