Today is Sunday and we are going to the RV park close to the freeway today as hubby is scheduled to speak. It all hinged on the results of the COVID tests and since we both came back negative, we are going. We have to wear our masks and the chairs are set up that people can sit six feet and more apart. The last time we were there, there were maybe 40 people. With the rain, there may be even less. It is sad, really. A year ago we would have over 100 people attend. Now everyone is either afraid to go, don't want to make the effort, or have gotten so used to online preaching they don't bother.
I must admit, and I think I have before, that I have gotten used to watching our pastor (and others) on the computer for our services. I enjoy being able to curl up in my casual clothes, with a cup of coffee, and my current crochet project and watch services on TV. I participate in the songs, and listen closely to the preaching. But I have found I like staying home.
But I also miss the social interaction with those I love and care for. (Note to self: call Ms. Betty today and check in on her; also on Ms. Amy next door) I miss the greetings, the smiles that go up into the eyes when someone sees me, the hugs, the casual conversations, the encouragement I receive from others just in their greeting. I so miss that! Butt to go, even wearing masks, we cannot gather together to chat in our little church. There are not that many of us anyway in the entire church, but to be so isolated, even in church is distressing. But, we need to take the first step and go, I think. Unfortunately, I think the preaching is still on a screen, in fact, I'm pretty sure it is as a friend went and she said it was. So why go if we can't get together and chat and greet, we sit apart, and we watch the same service on the screen in the church as we do in our comfortable chairs at home? Now I'm flipping again.
I wanna go back to the way it was! I want the hugs and kisses on the cheek! I want the handshakes! I want the sitting by people. I want to worship together. I so very much miss that. But, I fear that church as we have known it is a thing of the past.
So what does the future hold? I am afraid many people who went to church before will no longer attend church as the churches will continue to do online church as they have a larger audience. I believe Free Chapel mentioned one time that they now have 5000 online members - not counting those who go to the churches - and they just opened up another church! They do so much for others. I see their posts of getting produce and meat and passing out in boxes to people in cars that are lined up even outside the parking lot. I've read how they have helped make bomb shelters in Israel close to schools because once there is a bomb set off, they have only so many seconds to get to safety - and these shelters give the children a place to run to and get under their covering for protection. There are so many things that this church does for Kingdom building.
Our church has tripled, I believe we were told. There used to be 40 that would come (if all came at the same time and that includes children), multi-cultural, which means we had some people it is very hard to understand what they are saying since we don't understand their language and they are trying hard to speak English with a strong accent. But the online church comes from England, Africa, Jamaica, Canada, United Sates, and other countries. Many people tune in to watch our services.
There are many uncertainties in the future ahead of us. Many things will or will not change, according to our own decisions. Church will never be the same, we all know that. Just like work can not go back to the way it was. I know I will have to go back to the office once they open it back up, but the thought of still having to wear a mask saddens me. I grow so weary of wearing them. Why bother to put on make up except around the eyes? No one will ever see it and it gets all inside the mask.
I need to stop and get moving this morning to get ready for church. Free Chapel/Jentezen Franklin comes on at 7AM and 9AM currently. You can get him on facebook if you put the name - great messages every week. Which reminds me, our fast this coming week is to "Fast Negativity" Replace negative words with positive words. Fasting facebook seems a lot easier.
I have found, speaking of fasting facebook, that I haven't missed the scrolling through it. I may continue. I have my 'favorites' and I check the alerts to see if they have posted and will go to that post to see what it is, but then I get right back off. Yes, I've missed a lot of posts I probably would have enjoyed seeing, but scrolling through is a timewaster. I would rather be productive. I can't crochet and scroll facebook. I can complete a project and donate to someone; I can do nothing but groan over facebook.
So - stop talking negatively this week. In some cases that will be hard because you first have to stop doing it in your mind. Lord, help me! I know I sometimes struggle with it; and I'm sure you do as well. So let's both try to speak positive words to each other this week. And then continue it on.
We got this! and God's got us! He will help us. Make that determination to be a positive person and speak life into people by building them up, versus tearing them down.
Blessings!
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