Streams of Mercy

Perhaps it’s a good thing we don’t know what might come to pass in any given week. With concerns mounting about the spread of the Coronavirus, much of life as we know it has come to a grinding halt in recent days. Lenten studies and sermons are set aside; group trips to plays and concerts cancelled; athletic events are suspended, schools are closed and churches services are cancelled – all for a period of at least two weeks, in hopes of slowing the spread of the deadly virus. How quickly things can change, as life as we know it becomes a strange, new territory.

I “went to church” in Raleigh yesterday, by way of television. As the camera panned the empty sanctuary, the minister reminded us that God promises to give us what we truly need. We need guidance and wisdom for living in these days; we need to be diligent and responsible to do all we can; we need each other.

The minister asked those listening in to think of the people they would have hugged at worship, the hands they would have shaken, the greetings and good wishes they would have exchanged - - and then in the days to come, turn each one into a phone call, an e-mail, a card or a letter to those persons. How important it is that we do our best to stay connected with one another in these days.

Through the wonders of technology we enjoyed singing “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “It Is Well With My Soul,” accompanied by organ, choir and orchestra. These pieces were taken from recordings of earlier services. A young woman read the book, God’s Dream, for children listening in, reminding us that we are family because we are all God’s children. A youth pastor spoke to young people called to leave college on short notice, facing the possibility of not returning to campus to complete the year’s studies, and to other children and youth who find themselves home, facing an uncertain future. A public health official spoke to all of the need for washing hands and social distancing and voluntary isolation.

The minister encouraged us to remember that we are connected to one another. A poet encourages us with these words: “During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.” (Cameron Bellm) May we find those ways together! Another poet wrote, “Promise this world your love–for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.” (Lynn Unger)

With God’s help, may we be God’s loving embrace to our neighbors and may we be faithful to love this world in all the ways we can – “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, so long as we all shall live.”

Elizabeth