A couple of months ago, no one even heard of the phrase “social distancing”.  Yet here we are, beginning of April 2020, and this happens to be one of the most used phrases across the globe.  As the world grapples with the realities of a global COVID 19 ( aka coronavirus) pandemic, we are all adjusting to living in a new paradigm.  To keep ourselves and each other safe, we are all expected to practice social distancing.  This means we avoid physical proximity and limit our contact with those outside our homes.  Employees are telecommuting, students are learning online, restaurants only have take-out, and hair salons are considered “non-essential services” and required to stay closed.  I feel like we are living in one of Julia’s dystopian novels.  Is this for real?

A few days ago Tex and I celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary.  We have seen many unexpected events in the past 27 years, but we never could have imagined this.  In the new world order of social distancing, we had to celebrate differently than we expected. 

On the morning of our anniversary, Tex went out and picked wildflowers and created a bouquet for me.  I was also the loving recipient of a hand made anniversary card.  For our anniversary date, Tex and I went for a leisurely walk through the neighborhood.  For dinner, our youngest daughter Julia (unexpectedly home, finishing the semester online) made us a delicious meal.   Our eldest daughter Alexia provided homemade treats and drinks.  And we finished the day by enjoying a Hallmark movie on TV.  To be honest, I really enjoyed our scaled back, at home festivities.  The only regret was the circumstances in the world around us that dictated our low key celebration.

For many of our family, friends and neighbors, social distancing is one more reason to be even more anxious and unhappy during this pandemic. These are dire times for sure.  My advice?  “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4: 8).  What we think about becomes our words.  What we talk about become our reality.  Now, more than ever, we need to create as much light and goodness as we can.  The world needs it.