Do The Things You Did At First

“We don’t have school for 3 weeks!” Makayla announced as she burst excitedly into the car after school last week. Spring break had begun, with several weeks of “social distancing” added, in hopes of minimizing the coronavirus scare. The first of various attempts to “flatten the curve.”

“Yep, won’t this be interesting...” I replied.

“It’s going to be awesome!!!” She squealed. Two days later she would be bored out of her head sitting on the couch. New public restrictions have dampened the mood, and curbed free-wheeling norms. Terms like “pandemic," “flattening the curve,” and “social distancing” are suddenly on every channel. What just happened?

Reminds me of a blazing summer in Chicago many years ago. Abbey was just a toddler and we lived in an apartment building with dozens of other hard-working folk. Early-morning and late-evening types, trying to make a living. Their routines made them mostly invisible to us. But that particular day, a truck had plowed into an electrical transformer that took down the grid for several city blocks. It didn’t take long for the heat and confusion to bring the entire apartment population outside, sitting on the grass. We had no idea what happened or how long it would be like this; the lack of power became the great equalizer. Now, face-to-face neighbors, sharing stories and popsicles from a melting freezer, we became friendly with people a few doors away, whom we’d never met. The hours of “forced community” was refreshing, even if it was temporary. Though it took longer than we hoped, the power eventually came back on, and everyone returned to their routines. There were greetings, smiles and waves the next morning, as we all rushed to our cars. Our forced “temporary community” had warmed something, but would it last?

This season feels sort of like that, but in broadly different ways. 

A man plays the guitar and sings from a balcony to raise morale in Milan during a national lockdown. Daniele Mascolo / Reuters

I sat waiting for a prescription to be filled at Kroger early this week. The aisles were full of people, most moving briskly, carting mounds of groceries towards busy checkout lanes. There was a noticeable lack of conversation, concern lay thick in the air, and people kept a careful distance from each other. I seemed out of place somehow, feeling perfectly calm and relaxed as I watched people pass by. I wondered how a “non-anxious” presence might present itself in such a place. I wanted to envelope others in what I felt, that God-centered bubble of peace. I decided to use my wait time to saunter slowly around the store, smiling, even whistling, asking people how they were doing.

For about 35 minutes, I practiced peace, and quietly extended it to those around me. It’s amazing what a smiling face can communicate, what it can transmit. I found myself in five or six good conversations with people as they paused from filling their baskets. They were mostly concerned about family members, their jobs, and the general uncertainty. They each told stories of their experiences. I was amazed how willing most were to talk, when I simply asked, “How ya doing?”

That John 14:27 passage was really working. The peace we’ve received is a peace that can be given. Without ever saying it, I felt it leaving my person and landing on others. “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Because we don’t give as the world gives.  

These feel like different days… but are they? In some ways, yes.

They are calling it “social distancing” for the safety of all. There is no place to go. Work is limited, public gatherings are curtailed. National pastimes (baseball, March Madness, NBA) are canceled, even political rhetoric is lessened (no complaints there). Everyone is encouraged to stay at home with their families, to watch TV and do domestic things. I call it “forced community” and there’s always a benefit to facing the primary things of life.

Chosen or not, this unplanned season has the potential for our betterment when it comes to the first relationships in our lives. 

Encouraging doctors and nurses from balconies in Milan. Alessandro Grassani for The New York Times

One thing is for sure, God is hearing a lot more prayer, even from the uninitiated. I’ve heard it said that “everybody talks to God in a crisis.” May He take full advantage of the community time, forced or otherwise. May families and faith rediscover each other under this focus. May the social distancing have the opposite effect in this way, that it would create closer connection between God and families. 

Jesus spoke to the Church in Ephesus saying, essentially, “Look how far away you’ve moved from the mark, go back and do the things you used to do in the beginning.” (Revelation 2:5). That passage has much more to say, but I wonder if one of the things God is offering us, is a reset on the “first things”?

What are your “first things”? 

Jesus once summed it up: “Love God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matt. 22:37-39)

I strolled out of Kroger with my prescription that day and came home to a little girl playing games on the table; it was easy to join in, remembering long snow days, where puzzles and popcorn were standard, and days passed gently. Perhaps these days are different, perhaps they demand a sobriety that we can’t always see, but one thing is clear—making sure first things are in first place is the is always the right decision. 

How are you doing with that?

Our rhythms are following closely with the protocols expressed on Northstar’s website (golovelive.com/media) and Facebook page (Northstar Community Church).

Here are two other resources that our family have enjoyed lately. The first is an original song and video produced by a friend showing her families creativity resulting from “social distancing."

Secondly, an online movie series called Chosen. It’s a free app with lots to love. I hope they make a second season. Check these out with your newfound time. 

Additionally, The Prayer Room at Northstar is being streamed online every Friday at noon! Tune in on Facebook, or find it at http://www.golovelive.com/media.