Dear Friends,
As we slowly and tentatively begin to ease out of lockdown, I began to think about some of things that we may have learned during this enforced period of isolation. I thought about a friend who has always had a housekeeper who came every day. Of course, she could not come during lockdown, and he told me of the enormous respect he now had for her, as he had tried and failed to keep his house as well as she did! I thought about those people who have learned to bake bread and all sorts of other goodies for the first time – and have no doubt eaten them too! I thought about those who have had to learn new IT skills very quickly in order to keep in touch with friends and family. I thought about those people who have learned to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly as a way to stave off infection. And I thought about the heroic and sacrificial efforts so many have made in order to look after us when we are sick and when we are well.
I also thought about those people who, for the very first time, have taken an interest in spiritual things, those who have found comfort and healing in sharing in worship on television and online, those who have asked for prayer, and have discovered that through the mystery of prayer they have been supported when in their own strength they felt they could not go one. And I have though about those who have told me, at suitable social distance, that they wish they could do these things together. All of these have been very positive things that it is to be hoped will have become habits, for even when lockdown is finally over, we would do well to retain the good things we have learned during this challenging time.
The light at the end of the tunnel is growing closer. We must approach it with care because we do not want it to recede into the distance again. But we can now look forward to a better, more encouraging future. Let us pray that we will not be tempted to forget all the good things we have learned, all the good habits we have adopted as we have travelled along this difficult and challenging road.
With love and blessings
Marion