Together but apart. . . .

Never before in my lifetime have I felt more connected to the world at large than right now.  I communicate with friends in places like Costa Rica, Israel and Palestine, and I stay in contact with others within the United States from Virginia to Hawaii.  I can talk face to face with any of them by phone, Zoom, Facebook and various other means of virtual communication.  But on the other hand, never before in my life have I felt more disconnected to my immediate neighborhood and the community around me than I do right now.  I have no ideal what goes on in the house across the street or next door, because many folks are staying inside behind locked doors and appearing in public only behind face masks.  I feel very isolated and insulated at a time when news abounds and fear, discontent and frustration have become a present reality.  We are truly together in amazing new ways, but at the same time, so very distanced and apart from each other in equally new ways.

During this very unique time in the history of the world when my calendar has been cleared and I'm not running here and there to meetings and fulfilling commitments, I am more aware that I've ever been of how very easy it is to allow ourselves to "social distance" from the Presence of God.   For those of us who grew up in an era when parents worked hard and expected the same from their children, it's been difficult to give ourselves permission to just "chill" and make the most of this time by renewing and deepening that ONE must important relationship. 

So as I continue to stay connected to friends and acquaintances around the globe, I know that my relationships with those around me will be strengthened because of the time I've been given to renew my spirit and rest my body.  At least for that much I am very grateful during this exceptional time in history.