This morning I laid in bed and listened to the wind bluster, blow, and swirl outside. It sounded cold and forbidding. Now, one of the positive developments of our current situation is that I have found my running legs again. I’ve been running in the mornings. So when I heard that nasty wind raging outside I thought to myself, “Thank God I run on a treadmill!” Had I been an outdoors runner I may very well have just rolled over and gone back to sleep. But I didn’t. And I had a lovely (warm) run this morning, sweaty and smelly and watching TV.

Then I thought about church. (No, not because of the sweaty and smelly part!) I thought about how this massive pandemic disruption in our collective rhythm has functioned like that nasty wind this morning. We can’t stop the wind, but we can decide how best to navigate our way through it. Instead of rolling over and going back to sleep – instead of saying, “Oh well, the church building is closed and we can’t gather in-person so I guess I’ll find something else to do on Sundays,” you chose something different. You participate in worship online. I don’t know if you do it from a treadmill but I do know you’re watching. Our view numbers are wonderful, and your continued financial support has been remarkable. And on top of that you are reaching out supportively to one another, connecting (appropriately) socially, and participating in various church food drives, knitting campaigns, landscaping, and more. You didn’t roll over and go back to sleep. That’s awesome.

Winds are always going to blow. Calamities are always going to befall. Such is life. We all have some choices as to how we’ll respond. As far as church goes, I think we’re all pretty fed up with not being able to be together, but we’re not going to let obstacles keep us from being the church together. We have adapted and continue to adapt. We find ways to do things as best we can. We love, love, love. I’m grateful for you and the ways you’ve adapted with us. And I’m really glad you haven’t rolled over and gone back to sleep. The treadmill calls!