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We’re in this Together

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Contributed By Nancy Carmichael
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Nancy a Ministry Assistant at Eastern Hills Church in Williamsville, NY. Many moons ago she contributed music to Christmas CDs the Mission was producing each year. She offered to contribute this from her wonderfully quirky blog “Isle of Misfits”—which has the great tagline of “Come, all ye square pegs…” 

So… what’s new? Not much here. Nope. Same old, same old. Nothing ever changes. Amiright? Wake up. Hunker down. Bake bread. Post it on Instagram. Binge watch 90 Day Fiance. Eat (all of) bread. Walk around block. Go to bed. Repeat.

Yep, that’s about the size of it.

Some call it Social Distancing. I call it a dream within a dream. Like that dreamy tunnel scene in Willy Wonka. 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkg7dp1QY9k

Times are crazy. I don’t have to tell you that. You know. You’re in this thing, too. In fact, like they say in High School Musical…

Image result for We're all in this together gif

… and that’s actually one of the strangely comforting things in this here hour of our collective Covid Discontent. We are united by the weirdness of it all. And by gosh, that has to mean something.

Yes, times are uncertain. Yes, it’s a little (a lot?) unnerving. And yes, by all means, we need to take this seriously. But surely, even in the midst of the craziness, there’s a bit of beauty to behold. A bit of, dare I say, unity?

Think about it. All the divisiveness. All the vitriol. The bickering. The Trolling. The election coverage. Suspended, for a glorious, unknown period of national quarantining and toilet paper gathering. Let’s not ask how we got here. Let’s just accept it for what it is.

A chance to hit the pause button. Stop the insanity. Call for a momentary “Silent Night” cease-fire like the French, Scottish and German soldiers in WWI (if you don’t know about that story, it’s pretty cool… Here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk-LjY16zdM)

These are precious days, my Misfit friends. Days like none other. Not in my life time, and I’m guessing not in yours either. Cause it’s not just about having extra time. It’s having opportunity. To be kind. The way we always intend to be, but never seem to have the time to actually get around to, well being. Connecting with your neighbor. You know, the one who you wave at across the driveway. Now’s the time to learn their name! And maybe their story. Now’s the time to get to know your family again. You know, those people you live with, and ride in the car with to various soccer games and fast food drive thrus? I hear they’re pretty nice!

In short, I guess I’m getting all Carpe Diem on you, because we have an unprecedented opportunity right now, and there’s no time like the present to seize it.

“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:16

So go ahead. Fire up the Yahtzee. Wave at your neighbor (from regulation distance, of course). Ride the wave of niceness on Social Media as long as it lasts. Cause no one knows how long this is going to last.

But make it count, friend. We are all in this together.

Nancy Carmichael

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We’re in this Together — 2 Comments

  1. I read this in an article by David Brooks the other day: The writer Viktor Frankl once wrote about the Holocaust…’We do not get to choose our difficulties, but we do have the freedom to select our responses.’ MEANING, Viktor writes, comes from three things:
    -the work we offer in times of crisis
    -the love we give
    -our ability to display courage in the face of suffering
    Some people are putting holiday lights back up on their houses just to spread some cheer.
    It is a time of invitation to do something for others….even it were only simple kindness….and sincere prayer.

    • Yes, the kindnesses, even the smallest of them, cause a ripple. The universe notices (even when we humans others might miss it), and it matters.

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