We Need Each Other

Yesterday, I spoke about community. It’s something we’ve been missing these days, isn’t it? I was talking to an elderly friend this week who said, “Oh, I just miss human touch.”

Here we are, maybe just beginning to emerge from this historic time in history, where we are intentionally trying hard to keep our distance from other human beings… And we feel it. We miss it.

At least in part, this whole situation has raised our awareness of our human interdependence – how much we really need those social bonds… how much we need each other. I think we’ve all had – at least the fleeting thought – “If I get sick… If my family gets sick… who would help us? Who would bring us food?”

On another level, I’ve talked to lots of people who have been regularly connecting with old friends and family on Zoom or FaceTime. In my family, we’ve had these mini-family, cousin reunions on Facetime. It’s been a lot of fun reconnecting.

Over the last several weeks, I’ve heard several different people say, “You know, I’ve lived in the same house for years – and finally met my neighbors… We were outside walking… we were working in the yard….”

I do have to wonder if after all of this passes, will there will be a resurgence in community spirit? Will the hard edge of our political divisions soften – even a little? Will we value our relationships a little more? Will we remember, a little more often, that we are all in this together?

I certainly hope so. I know being in community is not always easy. It asks us to give up at least some measure of our rugged individualism. It asks us to allow for other’s differences. It asks us to contribute something. Yet, when we get it right, there is nothing more beautiful.

Let us pray: Again today, Loving God, we thank you for family and for community. We ask you to heal and restore this gift to us. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.