Missing You

This past Sunday, my wife and I enjoyed a visit with my wife’s mom. She fell and broke her hip a few months ago. Between her recovery, rehabilitation, and covid restrictions, I had not been able to see her in person for quite a while. My wife has been able to make frequent visits, but I wasn’t. The rules have only recently changed to allow more visiting. As we entered her room, she lit right up and offered me the biggest hug ever. In an instant, she went from lying alone in her bed, to sitting up enjoying a nice cup of tea and conversation. Her voice absolutely lit up the room as we caught up on family things and general chit chat. It was so good to spend some time with her, to hear her voice and see her face in the flesh. That in itself was a healing moment. My point is this. We never know or realize just how much we miss someone until they’re not in your immediate life for a while. The visit was as good for me, as it was for her. My heart was warmed just by being there with my wife and her mom.

As we drove home, I could not help but draw the comparison to our church family, and to Jesus. Since early 2020 when Covid-19 heated up, our church body has not been able to safely meet in person for services. As we meet in a rented space, the past and present restrictions keep our church family separated in the flesh. Our congregation is elderly, so we continue to be diligent in keeping them safe. Our pastor has adapted well to offering on-line sermons and is in constant contact, at least by phone with our friends. Just like my mother-in-law, we miss being together in person, yet we stay connected. We do miss each other and wait patiently for the day when we can meet with a better degree of safety.

Now, not gathering for service has created a small disconnect, but our thread that binds us together is Jesus. We may be apart from our friends right now, but we have never been separated from Him or His presence. We need only open our eyes and draw our first breath to realize He is with us. When each day dawns, take a moment, and offer up a little prayer of thanks for Him giving us one more day. The fact that we have not been able to gather for church, has done nothing to diminish His attention to our lives and circumstances. With Jesus, there are no Covid restrictions, threat, or barriers. He gives all of us at least two things to hang onto these days. First, He gives us faith in His healing power, but not blind faith. He also gives us wisdom to follow the advice of our doctors, scientists, and leaders, both pastoral and government. Some may not agree these days with some of these things, but I will follow His lead. Will He protect me? Yes, but He also expects me to avoid throwing caution to the wind and to be responsible for myself, my family and friends, and my neighbors. He has sent us doctors, and He has given them the knowledge of how to look after us. Let us all just hang in there for a while longer. Let us look out for one another, and not be divided by difference of opinion.

Christmas is quickly approaching, and we should be reminded that Jesus came as an innocent child to be the one who would save us all. He came at a time of great division, fear, darkness and uncertainty. Covid has set the earth into some of the same, so look to the mountains for help. (Psalm 121). Let’s be our brothers’ & sisters’ keepers. Let’s not lose our connection with common sense and courtesy. Instead, let’s look forward to this next year where we can hopefully remove restriction of movement, restriction of gathering in person for church, and fear of each other as we pass in the grocery aisle.

Keep connecting in any way you can, keep Christ close to your heart, and keep believing that we will all get through this together. Keep missing each other so we can all enjoy a cup of tea and a hug when this is over.

Mike Shindruk

Master’s Hand Ministry