Who was that masked man who just said Hi to me?  I could see by his hat he’s a cowboy, but his voice was muffled under that mask and I couldn’t distinguish it.  So I just said Hi and kept on walking.

I’m getting really confused trying to figure out who’s who, and trying to be friendly and not ignore friends, and trying to interpret what they are saying if they talk to me.  It helps if I can see their eyes, but with sunglasses and caps that isn’t easy either.  And now I heard on the news that we should wear masks and goggles!  

If I picture myself in a mask and goggles, I’d look like a fly, an insect, a pest!  Even I would think twice about approaching that sight!  To me, that is a way of dehumanizing me as a person, and hiding my personality and identity behind a barrier.  When I think of a fly or other pest I think of swatting them to keep them away, not approaching them to be friendly.  And yet, that is exactly what I want to do with friends and family, to approach them and be friendly, not scare them away.

I’m afraid with all of the social distancing we have been having to do and all of the aloneness we have experienced lately we’ve lost touch with a lot of the love and kindness we are used to giving and receiving.  We are unable to be together in church as often and share in the celebrations of graduation, birthdays, weddings and funerals that have always been a big part of our lives.  We miss the hugs and encouragement we get from friends in person, and we miss the ability to look them in the eye and make sure they are really all right.

We are blessed with many ways to keep in touch electronically, and by phone and letters, but that doesn’t take the place of human contact.  Fortunately, I have a patio and a wonderful courtyard where friends and family can meet and sit 6 feet apart and spend time together.  We’ve been meeting for months now and spend time keeping up on our lives and our family and friends, and we always seem to have lots of fun and laughter during those times.  Friendship and laughter are extremely important during difficult times; they can ease the tension and put a comical spin on lots of the new things going on in our life. And I refuse to allow the circumstances going on in the world to take away my joy in life and in my friendships.  

Meeting together can ease the isolation some people are feeling. Most of us can find a place to meet with friends, whether in a yard or in the park or taking a walk together. We have to fight the urge to stay alone and be afraid, that is not healthy mentally, physically, or emotionally, and especially not healthy spiritually.  God tells us in Ecclesiastes 4:10-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:  if one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!  Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.  But how can one keep warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  

We have to stay strong and fight the urge to be alone and afraid and depressed.  God has put people in our lives that can help us, friends that we can call on and places we can go to enjoy being together.  Don’t let the circumstances of this world be a stumbling block to keep you from enjoying friends and the beauty that surrounds you.  

And we all need to remember that there is a human being behind the masks we see and use kindness and compassion to each one we encounter.  We may not ever know who they are, but they are important to God and they should be important to us.