“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
—Hebrews 10:24–25
The creativity and resilience we foster in one another are only more evident in the wake of social distancing and quarantine. To remain resilient, we must be connected. To be connected, we have to “show up.” But what does that mean these days?
Presence can be thought of as so much more than taking up physical space. Presence is awareness and attending to “here” and “now.” The passage addresses the desire to retreat from a world that does not align with one’s values by answering back: bring your values into the world instead of removing your presence.
It’s easy to say and hard to do. Especially now.
Wearing a mask, staying home, calling to check on a loved one in isolation—these are all ways we can answer our call to live our values. Letting our lives be proof of commitment to compassion, empathy and love can spur someone else to do the same.
Staying connected helps us keep perspective. Keeping presence might look like active listening, writing a letter, sending a handmade card or even just sending a simple text message. The action says, “I’m here for you.”
Ultimately, it falls on each and every one of us to find new ways to bring our light into the world for the benefit of others, and for ourselves.
In what ways do you continue to bring your love and presence into the world during quarantine and social distancing? How might you bring your love into the world after?
—Jessica Lien, Prairiewoods development coordinator