by Paul Big Bear
Dear Friends,
How has this pandemic affected you? How has your life changed? I am guessing that finances have had to be adjusted, physically are you less active as gyms have been closed, are you eating differently as food shopping became a process of waiting in line wearing a mask and staying six feet apart, or have you had groceries delivered? What about perishable foods they were not so readily delivered, did you go and stock up on meats and frozen foods to get you through a longer period of time? Have you been “binge watching” TV shows and movies? Have you been reading more, listening to radio, spending time on your electronic devices? Are you spending more time with your children, your spouse, or your pets?
Have you suffered the loss of a family member or friend from COVID19 and were you unable to say a proper “Goodbye?” These are all major concerns, perhaps you have stayed in touch with others via text, email, social media, or written correspondence. Have you spent time emptying your “To Do List”? How are you dealing with this pandemic? How are you handling the daily, no, constant barrage of statistics informing us of the number of people that have tested positive, how many have been quarantined, how many have died? Has wearing a mask had any effect on you? Do you feel safe? Do feel a loss of identity?
I speak with people quite often on these very subjects and I find so many are dealing in very inventive ways, some learning to cook, to sew, knit/crochet, play an instrument, writing, gardening, painting a room, remodeling, so many ways. The one question I have, as a Minister, been asked, sadly too often, comes from people worried about the uncertainty of death. “Tell me when we die, what lies on the other side?” I pray with people and I discuss chapter and verse from the Bible too often their queries and fears are not definitively answered. Then I found this; A man has been told by his doctor that he is dying and he says to his doctor “I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” The doctor responded quietly “I don’t know…” The patient is surprised, the doctor deals with people dying, he is a Christian and attends church every week, how can he not know?
As the doctor reached for the door handle to leave the room from the other side of the door there is a scratching and whining, opening the door, a dog sprang into the room leaping on the doctor, tail wagging, licking the doctor’s face. The doctor turned toward his patient and said “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I know my Master is there and that is enough for me.” So how is your Faith? Hoka Hay!