Because of Rona and us being made to stay at home, I have had to ring people instead of going to see them. Although through necessity I had to make a few stops off at places of business this week.
People are keeping well back and practising social distancing at the post office and chemist. There has been almost a camaradie in people I talk to from business people to customers in the chemist.
They have been respectful and maintained their distance but did make eye contact and smiled. Whether in person like that or on the phone, the conversation has always ended with being told to be safe and take care!
I would return the smile and admonish them to do the same, and somehow this interaction lifted my spirits.
Why did it lift me up? you ask. Because in that kind admonition to stay safe and take care, I see the fear that truthfully we all are experiencing in one degree or another.
I also see that people generally have taken on board the complexity of this hidden enemy and the need to be cautious and careful.
There is concern in strangers' voices as they say this in parting, and it resonates in the spirit like the greetings and admonishment at Christmas to have a happy one.
I see something deeper in these admonishments: I see the milk of human kindness. The acknowledgment that we all are frail against this foe and a wish for each other to overcome and live.
It's a recognition that we are all equally vulnerable but equally precious. It's more than words that I hear: I see love!
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2
I am trusting that this pandemic will result in more compassion and appreciation for our people. It's good to remember that God knew about this situation--even though it has come as a complete surprise to us!
ReplyDeleteThere's always the "mob" mentality in a crisis, such as we saw with the fighting over TP and hand sanitisers. However, I think the majority of people are compassionate but afraid...
DeleteI appreciate your observations and thoughts, Glenys :) My prayer is that we all take the lesson of concern and caring everyone is preaching and continue to live it out when the world settles down. The Golden Rule is ALWAYS good medicine and always appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI will join you in that prayer too, Linda. I do feel that people have short memories though, and that when the world settle down again, they will revert to selfish ways. The Golden Rule may be forgotten. We can just pray and hope it is not so. :)
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