People have been asked to maintain suitable space between one another during this COVID 19 viral outbreak. We are to flatten the curve so that the growth rate of the pandemic could be slowed. People have been told to stay home and to limit time that we spend in groups. We do so to lessen the strain on our health care system. If fewer people get sick in the next few weeks, then many times more people will be spared in the next few weeks.
The thing is we are social beings. We are used to being able to go to the movies, eat in the restaurants, go to church, and go out for coffee. We have become used to travelling on planes. Many of us have enjoyed cruises.
But now we are asked to stop all those things temporarily. It is hard and difficult. It is not the way that we are used to operating.
In the midst of this isolation though, I have read several stories about people finding new ways to get together in the midst of celebration. This morning our worship service was broadcast on a live YouTube broadcast. We in Innisfail were actually joined by some of my friends in Australia, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. A friend of mine in Illinois had a virtual cocktail party where 10 friends held a delightful evening of conversation in their own homes. Some churches are having virtual coffee houses where people check in with one another (we will be trying this soon). Some neighbours are putting up Christmas lights to spread cheer in the community. Some neighbours are putting notes in windows to communicate.
We can't communicate like we normally do. But people are finding new ways to reach out to one another. These days are difficult and the future is uncertain. But if we can continue to reach out to one another in new and different ways, then we will get through this. Blessings.
