By: Rich McFate So what are you doing in these times of social distancing and sheltering at home? In a last minute trip to the store to get more items to get my family through a potentially prolonged time of hunkering down, I saw many other shoppers, all on similar solitary journeys. They each had taut, mostly expressionless faces as they went about their own business. I noticed this as I was walking across the parking lot towards the store. My time in the Bible that morning had been particularly encouraging and because of that, I did not feel as inclined to live my morning like a walking dead person. A man wearing jeans, a flannel shirt and a Carhartt vest was walking my way. Before I knew it, I greeted him with a warm “Good Morning!” He stopped his cart lifted his head, perhaps to see if he would recognize who was speaking like this to him. Not recognizing me, he looked shocked, but smiled while he responded with a warm, “Good Morning!” I could tell it had been in there all along and just needed the small prompt. On the spot, I decided I was going to spread the warmth of a sincere human greeting throughout the store.
My next encounter was a store employee. I thought that this person would likely initiate a salutation as part of his job responsibilities, but he seemed more inclined to avoid any contact with people, particularly germy strangers. I let go my warmest, “Good Morning!” again. Although it took him a little longer than the 1st to respond, I saw his countenance lift, a smile come to his face and what seemed like a very appreciative, “Good Morning!” return to me.
This repeated itself throughout my store visit. I doubt if I changed anyone’s life permanently with a genuine greeting, but I think, perhaps it may have changed mine. I departed rejoicing that by connecting with my Lord at the start of the day, it had lifted me out of my own bubble of isolation and empowered me to see the world and its people in a different light.
So what are you doing in these times of social distancing and sheltering at home? I hope you are taking care of yourself, and also any people that you may be responsible. I hope you are able to encourage others in these uncertain times. Perhaps, like Christians throughout the world today, you understand that it is best to seek the Lord, to wait upon Him and to trust Him. He is the Good Shepherd. He knows where we are. He knows what we need. He knows we need Him. If we are honest, we know that we need Him.
The Psalmist cries out,”7Hear, O LORD, my voice when I call; be merciful and answer me. 8My heart said, “Seek His face.”Your face, O LORD, I will seek. 9Hide not Your face from me, nor turn away Your servant in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or forsake me, O God of my salvation."---Berean Study Bible I invite you to read all of Psalm 27 today.
I hope that some of you will respond below with your own thoughts and insights of what God is showing you in His Word and through our present circumstances. Beyond the blog comments, I know some of you reading this also have things you can share to encourage our church body. If you would like to make a blog contribution to GBC for consideration, please send your blog submission to mail@gbclaurel.com.
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