One day at a time

Dear Friends

How are we all feeling about the ending of covid safety measures? To be perfectly honest, I’m feeling a bit nervous. I spend a lot of time on the bus, in shops, in public places – and I’m worried. It’s only been a day or two, but already the number of people not wearing masks is increasing – and the infection rate is going up. Is anyone else feeling a bit scared?

I’ve been trying to put things straight in my head, trying to think how I’m going to handle the situation and I’ve come up with one or two reassuring thoughts. Firstly, I’m going to keep wearing my mask – it makes me feel safe (it’s also quite pretty !) Secondly, I’m going to keep myself (and other people) as safe as I can – keep washing my hands, using hand sanitiser, keeping my distance – especially from people I don’t know. I’m going to ignore people who laugh at me for being what they call “over-cautious” – because I can only be responsible for my own behaviour, I can’t control or predict what others will do.

I’m also going to give myself permission to have a worry sometimes – because it’s ok, it’s fine not to be fine. None of us can know how this is going to work out – all we can do is look after ourselves. As a church, we have done very well – we have kept everyone safe, and that makes me really happy . I hope all of you will continue to do your very best to keep yourselves safe and well – and if, like me, you sometimes feel worried – please come and talk to me – and we can reassure each other, please know that you are loved.

I’d like to leave you with an “earworm” that has been going around in my head for the last few days. In the late 70s there was a song, by Lena Martell, called “One day at a time”. I find myself singing it at odd times – and perhaps because that’s the thought going around in my head – let us together get through these hard days “One day at a time” – because as we read in Corinthians (2 Corinthians 4: 17-18) “And This Too Shall Pass”

Shalom
Ann