I got you

I wonder if what’s been happening to me has been happening to you? I’ve found myself over the course of the last couple of weeks, as second doses of vaccines are kicking in around the valley, reconnecting with friends I haven’t seen for a long time. In some cases, I’m reconnecting with friends I haven’t seen in more than a year. And I feel two things. First, I feel a sense of relief that we’re able to renew friendships and connections that are important to me, that support me in my life and work. It feels good to be back together—to be in one another’s physical presence—to have the opportunity to exchange those micro-affirmations with one another that pay such a positive dividend to our wellbeing.

The other thing I’ve been feeling is a little socially awkward. My ability to maintain close, face to face interactions with humans, other than Cindy, Jas and Jade, has atrophied while we’ve been hunkered down over on Moose Street. As I stare down the wrong end of a packed summer calendar, I find myself wondering, “Can I do it? Will I survive all the reuniting?”

Then, three deep breathes, right? I let the Spirit re-infuse my blood with oxygen and my mind settles down, the tension in my body relaxes, and I remember what I need and want to remember—WE ARE SO GOOD FOR EACH OTHER!—even with the tangles that arise out of communal relationships. I believe, I feel it’s good to remind ourselves that we’re good for each other.

Some people believe we come to church because we ought to, because God needs us to. But if God is who we know God to be—all loving, all powerful, then we know God doesn’t need us to get together, right? God knows it’s good for us to get together.

We become “the shelter of each other.”

So, maybe it’s a little awkward for few weeks. Do we shake hands, knock elbows, bump fists or hug? I’m not sure. I just know we show up for each other. That’s what love does.

Love,

Jimmy