The world is becoming a whole lot smaller for all of us amid social distancing. If you are a social butterfly like I am, this has already been hard, and it’s not even been a week. So. Hard. For those of us who get the blues when alone, this is going to be a long few months.
So how can we beat the blues? Here’s a few suggestions that are worth sticking to:
1 - Send your friends a text. “I am thinking about you,” “I miss this about you,” or “My favorite time with you is…” Whatever you choose to say, say it. Say it often. We extroverted people are not okay.
2 - Send friends and loved ones care packages. Nothing is better than getting a package that shows someone you care. Even something small, like a hand-painted rock or a simple batch of cookies can uplift the spirit.
3 - Play games together on the internet. It’s an incredible time we are in, isn’t it! We can now play so many games together when we are far apart. Give it a try. You can find everything from ‘Yahtzee’ to online games. It’s a way to be together when you are not together in person.
4 - Online book club, anyone? Sharing a common experience like a book and then video conferencing to discuss is a major win. This can be done with movies, too. Why not have a movie club where everyone watches a faith-filled movie, then you get together on video chat to talk about it. YES!
5 - Return to snail mail. Write your friend a letter. Just tell them shortly you love them, miss them, and can’t wait to be able to hang out again. You know, in person, without hazmat suits.
6 - Group video chat. Hebrews tells us not to forsake you gathering together. Let’s focus on gathering in more creative ways. This is a time where we will need to build each other up.
Photo credit: Elena Koycheva on Unsplash.com.
7 - Make phone calls. This is obvious, but check on people. Reach out. Keep your friendships alive.
8 - Don’t be afraid to share the silly details of your life. When I cannot see you, hug you, and ask you how you’re doing in person, it’s a blessing to me to see that you had spaghetti for dinner on Facebook. Seriously. It helps my mind process that you are physically okay.
We know this is hard. Believe me, it’s already affecting my mental health, but we have God in our hearts and hope in our souls. We will make it through this. We must not let this virus break up our identities as a nation, as a church, or as people. Thank you, fellow social butterflies practicing social distancing, for caring about those who are at the highest risk.
It is important to know God saw this coming, and He is still in control of the whole situation. Remember friends, worrying cannot add anything to your life, it only takes away joy. Instead, let us use this time to connect differently, grow our knowledge of God and his word, and serve one another in creative ways.
Joanna French is the special needs pastor at Flint Hills Church, Junction City, KS. Joanna and her husband Jairmie have two boys with autism. In 2017, Joanna started Flint Hills Embrace with the goal to make Flint Hills Church a place where everyone belongs. Why? Because we all have a place in God's plan.
