On Monday, my wife, Marleen, decided she needed some backing fabric for one of her UFOs (UnFinished Objects). So we made the trek to Sew’n Save, her favorite store. Marleen has purchased three sewing machines there, and yards of fabric, and countless needles, bobbins and notions. They like her.
BC, (Before Covid), Marleen attended monthly gatherings of Hugs For Kids. One Wednesday out of the month, a group of women would gather and make small stuffed animals which were donated to first responders. These furry critters would be used by police and firefighters to comfort kids when they found them in bad situations. The ladies who made them would sew and chat and share a potluck lunch.
Jim, the owner of Sew’n Save provided the space and the sewing machines. It was something Marleen looked forward to every month.
So, on Monday, while she was examining bolts of cloth, she looked up and in a loud voice exclaimed, “Hi!” And another woman looked at her and said, “Hi!” It was her friend Debbie, who works part-time at the store. They were so excited to see one another after a long, isolated year. “How are you?” “Have you been well?” “Nice to see you!” And so went the conversation.
Even with masks, it was great to see them connect again. Their eyes were bright with delight. I imagine there will be lots of meetings like that. We are all hungry to reconnect; eager to engage with other people and start relating as humans again. More than ready are we to resume regular meetings, worship, gatherings, lunches, and shopping trips.
We were made to live in relationship; with our God and with other human beings. Scripture declares it to be so when the Creator says of Adam, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone;’” (Genesis 2:18a).
The wisdom scripture says we need to stand together, “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 (ESV)
The writer of Hebrews urges the Christians, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And finally, John, the apostle, sees this vision, “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV) On that day, we will turn to one another in great delight saying, “Nice to see you!”
Robert Frohlich 