KEEPING THE FAITH: Stay honest, connected through the pandemic
As we begin to step into this “new normal” in a post COVID-19, or concurrent COVID-19 world, we’re beginning to see our loved ones more frequently. Some of us are flying, others are driving and still others are connecting and reconnecting with our neighbors, those who may have lived by our side for decades.
One of the things I’m learning is just how beautiful and sacred those relationships are. Because we’re all human, we’re all meant to experience love and belonging to their fullest. But oftentimes, and especially during the pandemic, we’ve struggled to feel a sense of community beyond the screens of our computers and in the cover of face masks.
When COVID-19 first toppled our world, there was a lot of honesty floating around. People were honest about their fears, their doubts and the unknown that swirled around us. It was really nice to be able to talk with people who were feeling the same things and were authentic in their response to a pandemic that no one had ever lived through before. But I’ve noticed that the longer the pandemic lasts, the more tempered and qualified this honesty has become. We’re more likely to answer with a simple, “Good!” when people ask how we’re doing, rather opening up in vulnerability. This vulnerability builds community that can’t easily be replicated or manufactured. It’s this honesty that opens up the doors to real conversation that helps people not feel so alone.
In my work as a pastor, it’s often assumed that I preach on Sunday mornings, and that’s the end of my job description. But the fact is that I’m often walking with folks who are experiencing the deepest and darkest moments of their lives; whether a scary diagnosis or the death of a loved one, the pain is very real. And I also have the honor of walking with people as they begin their lives as a married couple, as they baptize their kids, as they celebrate their journey in recovery. Every time I share a moment like this in a person’s life, whether it’s a great moment or a not-so-great moment, I notice that it’s the conversations we have that stick with me (and hopefully them) more than anything else. There is power to being together, to being present with and for one another. It changes things. It adds perspective. It enriches lives. And maybe, just maybe, single conversations can change someone’s life.
If you or someone you know has been experiencing isolation or a loss of that honesty I mentioned earlier, reach out to someone you trust. Sometimes all you have do is ask, and you’ll know you’re not alone. In the midst of a really tough time, reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741 to be connected with a trained counselor who will walk with you and open up space for vulnerable, honest conversation. Know you’re not alone. Know you’re loved. And know that you belong.
The Rev. Christy Wright is the pastor of First United Methodist Church at 103 Pleasant St., Stoughton, near the center of town. She can be reached at pastorchristysumc@gmail.com or 781-344-2922.