02-06-21

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
February 6, 2021
Guest Writer: Rev. Sheila Gillette
Scripture: Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Thought for the Day: During this time of the pandemic that seems to be never-ending, it is easy to lose motivation, joy, gratitude, and worry. When I go out with my mask on, there is no reason to smile–no one can SEE my smile, nor can I see theirs. It seems as if our expressions are silent behind the mask. Joy and kindness not showing on our face and maybe not in our actions as we try to maintain six feet social distancing. I can’t hold the door open for someone or vice versa. There’s danger there. Many of us order groceries, etc. to be delivered to limit outings.

It is frustrating and seems relentless especially when we go through holiday seasons like Advent, Christmas, New Years, and the holidays coming up; Lent to Easter.

My mother with dementia tested positive for COVID, so I could not visit her even through the plexiglass, six feet away, with a mask. So we waited for a weekly Zoom call. What Mom really needed was a hug from her daughter. I was able to see her in full PPE and hold her hand shortly before she died.

What most of us need is human interaction and lots of hugs. Since that is not possible, it brings us to the question, WHAT CAN WE DO? For most of us, the answer is found in our scripture above. PRAY!

PRAY for all things, situations, people, for our own spirits, for others, and all God’s people. When someone can’t see our smile, say a breath prayer for that person. Let’s pray all day-for everyone we see, know or don’t know-for ourselves, neighbors, strangers, the lost, and down-hearted, the worried, and the broken. Let’s PRAY for JOY and FAITH to spread in this pandemic until PRAISE for GOD is HEARD above the silence of the masks.

Prayer: LOVING, ALMIGHTY GOD, HEAR OUR PRAYERS! AMEN.

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