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From the Second Chair

Thoughts & meditations from Barbara

Social Distancing. . . . .

3/30/2020

5 Comments

 
If we had heard the term "social distancing" back in December, 2019 we might possibly have thought we were being asked to "take a break" from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other online social networking platform.  Who could possibly have ​conceived that in such short a period of time we would be asked to distance ourselves physically rather than digitally from each other and to stay home.   

I never fully realized how very much I enjoyed physical human touch - a hug, a handshake or even a pat on the back - until we were ordered to eliminate all such social contact.  How very quickly our lives can change and our focus become entirely redirected.  For those with strong faith and an active prayer life, this "time apart" can be a time of refreshing and renewal - a time when the pace of daily life slows from hectic to quite slow and peaceful.  In the absence of such a connection with the One only and true God, it can be a very disturbing and anxious time.  From the very beginning of human history, God has wasted no opportunity to offer reconciliation and forgiveness to those who turn to Him in times of trouble and distress.  This present time is no exception. 

Whatever we choose to call this period in history - pandemic, corona virus, COVID-19, or simply "the virus" -  it will be remembered as the time the whole world was brought to a stand-still.  And I believe with all my heart that it will be a moment in time when God got our attention and brought to Himself brand new sons and daughters.  As I look around  see the signs of spring in flowering trees and new foliage, I sense God sending forth His Spirit to renew the face of the earth in our time and in our presence.  This is the time, today is the day to rejoice in His goodness and to expect great things in the time of trouble.  (When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  Psalm 94:19)
5 Comments
Sue Dolinger
3/31/2020 12:49:02 pm

Thank you for the blessings of your thoughts. This is a historical event that will not soon for forgotten. I believe God is getting everyone attention, those saved and still loss.
Love you and thank you for sharing. ❤

Reply
Nina Burson
3/31/2020 01:21:45 pm

Thank you for your uplifting message .Hope you and your family are doing well.I have been since this virus started.In Christian love🙏🙏

Reply
Vicki gobble
3/31/2020 01:50:50 pm

Thank you Barbara!!!! I miss hugging all my church family!! Looking forward to being together again and curious to see how He will use this time. Glorious things must be to come!!!!!!! The rainbow is still our promise!!!

Reply
Patsy Horney
3/31/2020 04:22:11 pm

Thank you so much for your sweet message. I miss the hugs and interaction with others but I do believe God will use this time to get our attention & use it for His glory!!

Reply
Donna Shortt
4/2/2020 06:42:07 pm

Enjoyed your words of comfort during these hard times we are experiencing these days. Please pray for my son Blake and his wife Amber who are both police officers and still must go to work and come in contact with people every day. I haven’t been to Pleasant View since my father died I am ashamed to say. I have missed my church family very much. Now I have waited until I am not very well myself at times, but there are times that I could come to church. When things return to normal, I hope to do better. During this coronavirus time, it has really made me think about the way God has worked in my life and the good parents he gave me. How happy I am to have a healthy and happy son and he has such a beautiful and amazing family. They’ve given me two sweet grandchildren I never thought I’d have. When you look around, you have so many things to be grateful for. I pray that everyone will spend part of this time just looking around and being grateful for all that we do have that is beautiful and wonderful in this world, even though we do have a lot to deal with right now. And let’s pray for all those health workers and front line people who have to work to protect us in other capacities to be safe. And thank you God for Pleasant View and all it’s people. Love, Donna

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    About Barbara

    After spending 36 years in a Social Services career, Barbara became a Licensed Local Pastor. She was appointed to Pleasant View UMC as Associate Pastor, and has truly found her "sweet spot" in ministry.

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  • Home
  • New to Pleasant View
  • Announcements
  • Church Calendar & Newsletter
  • Missions
    • Maize for Malawi
    • Queen City Baptist Church
    • Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Malawi
  • Ministries
    • Pre-school
    • Children's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Young Adult Ministry
    • Adult Ministries >
      • JOY Fellowship - Senior Adults
    • Bible Studies
    • Music Ministry
    • Hispanic Ministry - Manantial de Vida
    • Prayer Ministry
    • Helping Hands
    • Food Pantry & New Hope Outreach
  • Church Online
  • Online Giving
  • Pastor's Blog
  • From the Second Chair
  • Our Team
  • Contact