"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so
disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my
Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:5 NIV)
"Dear friends, if this is how God loved us, then we should love one another.
No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in union
with us, and his love is made perfect in us." (1 John 4:11-12 GNT)
We are created as social beings, meant to
interact with others. The important thing is whether our interactions with
others show God's love.
One of the most common greetings is the
handshake -- now, not allowed. Some of us would normally give a touch on the
shoulder or a hug, whether a light one or an affectionate bear hug,
indicating warm and supportive caring. Again, with social distancing,
touching and hugging are no longer allowed.
But the most common manner in which we greet
others is the way in which we look at them. Sometimes, we frown or glare or
greet them in a negative way. However, the best way, and probably the most
common way, is with a smile. It takes little effort but brings much blessing
to the giver and especially to the recipient.
Now, here comes the mask.
Initially during the COVID-19 pandemic, there
was much discussion about masks. Certainly, there was a realization that
surgical masks like the N95 were essential for health-care workers. But face
coverings for the public were generally considered to prevent the user from
infecting others but not necessarily efficient in protecting the wearer from
others who might be infected. In any case, things have evolved to the level
that at least in some areas everyone who leaves their house is supposed to
wear a mask of some sort.
Whether this has any real benefit or not in
limiting the spread of the pandemic is uncertain, but one thing is definite.
It has taken away the easiest and most helpful way of communicating our love
to others -- the smile!
The staff where I live all wear masks and face
shields. There are frequent comments made about how sad it is that we are
unable to see their lovely smiles. Some put decorations on their clear
shields, while others try to communicate with their eyes and foreheads, but
it is a challenge.
There is an old song that says,
"Keep on smilin', 'cause when you're smilin', The whole world smiles with
you."
This COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made it more difficult to share God's
love in the normal way -- no shaking hands, hugging, or even smiling.
But God's love is still ours.
I know that it's my challenge, and yours also,
to find different ways to communicate His love in positive though different
ways.
Prayer: Dear Father, as we live through these
different, difficult, and challenging days, help us to remember that Your
love never changes. May we be resourceful in finding ways to communicate the
love of Jesus in a positive manner. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Vincent Walter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reprinted from the
PresbyCan Daily Devotional
with the author's permission