Everything seems to have gone topsy turvy lately. No matter your stance on the Coronavirus epidemic, I think we can all agree that things aren’t running as smoothly as we’re used to right now.
I went to the supermarket the other day to get veggies for my grandmother’s cheesy vegetable soup–one of my very favorite childhood dishes <3–I kid you not, guys, I felt like I’d stepped into some YA dystopian novel. The carts were brimmed–some people even had two!–and the checkout lines led all the way back into the aisles. People were covered in masks and handkerchiefs, and most of them spoke in hushed whispers and avoided eye contact with one another. The workers had designated very specific paths the people were allowed to take. The shelves were bare. It honestly felt so surreal.
There’s a lot of fear, a lot of uncertainty, and a lot of unkindness going around, actually. People are panicking and screaming at each other for little things, things that don’t really matter. (Even for the things that do matter, we could certainly learn to speak our concerns kindly to one another!) They’re buying out all of the toilet paper, for crying out loud. I mean, come on, guys! You have enough! Let the rest of us have some already! It’s kind of bizarre.
But, just like when disaster strikes–my community recently faced some pretty severe tornadoes, for instance–I’ve also seen a lot of people trying to make sense of the abnormality we now face. In tight situations, some people draw together, rather than push each other away. In the aftermath of the tornadoes, complete strangers lined the block with chainsaws. Students took time away from school to collect toys and memorabilia and try to return the precious items they found, items they knew someone somewhere would take solace in and be thankful to have back. Some people even traveled across states to bring supplies and volunteer to help clean up debris. It was…absolutely beautiful to see how people came together and lifted one another up.
This isn’t the first time people have drawn together in times of trouble. That’s what we were made to do. To come around each other and become stronger in the face of adversity. We are better when we reach out in generosity, compassion, and empathy. We are made for creating a community that helps the broken and the lost.
God created us to be creatures of community. We see that from the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. Not only did God create Eve as a companion for Adam, but He also walked with them in the Garden daily. He told them to multiply and fill the earth. God is all about relationship. He delivered the Israelites from Egypt and then gave them a specific set of laws so that they would be separate from the nations around them, so that they would draw near to God and be His children. He sent His Son so that we might be in relationship with Him, to repair the damage and pay the debt of sin. Introverted and extroverted alike, we were knit together to be relational creatures, to be creatures of community.
But what do we do when the very essence of our human nature is torn away from us? When we’re forced into isolation?
Some people are letting fear overwhelm their senses and they’re making hurtful choices in their panic. But there are some who are using this time to grow, to learn, and to prepare for a better future. There are some who are reaching out with kindness and compassion, like the community around our tornadoes.
People are offering their time, expertise, and resources to make masks for medical staff or put out resources for parents who are suddenly entertaining children quite unexpectedly. There are some who are offering work from home tips and others who are asking for ways they can pray. They’re offering to grocery shop for those who are more susceptible to the disease and meeting online to encourage one another. People are coming up with creative ways to help keep businesses open, going through the drive through–and leaving generous tips!–or moving to work something out online in lieu of laying off employees whom they know need to provide for their families.
We need to be more compassionate and kind in this time. We need to reach out and help one another in the ways that we can, even if it’s only in small ways. Something as miniscule as as mile or a “thank you” can go a really long way. I’ve heard stories of people working who are downright abused by people riddled with fear and a simple “thank you” nearly brought them to tears. That’s not okay, guys. We need to be understanding and empathetic. Realize that our own fear might be drawing out our worst side or stirring the fear in others. We need to find ways to stay connected, to be a community. It’s imperative that we don’t forget who we were made to be. Or who made us for that matter.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, guys. He’s got plans for us, plans to prosper us and to give us hope. Let’s cling to His hand, trust in His plan, spread His hope, and share His joy! Let’s be a light in this darkness and show the world what we’re made of. He’s got this. All of this. He isn’t blindsided by this epidemic. He’s asking us to trust Him, to lean into Him, and to have some compassion for our brothers and sisters.
It’s times like these that our true colors shine. Are you red with rage or green with envy? Are you yellow with fear? Or are you blue calm and purple serene? Are you trusting and hopeful? I know it isn’t easy. I know there are legitimate worries and fears going around. But I, for one, won’t let them overtake me. I was made for loving you, baby 😉 And you were made for loving me! Let’s show some love. Let’s spread hope, not fear. Let’s be kind. Let’s use this time to grow wisely. Let’s come together right now, as a community, and show the world who we are.
Love always,
Coralie
P.S. I’d love to hear how you’re doing down below. Are there ways I can pray for you? Is there something that you need? Is there a way you can reach out to others to meet their needs? What can we do to make this a community effort again, to love one another, and encourage each other?