I have a Mary Englebright calendar on my nightstand. I enjoy her daily wisdom and humor along with the bright illustrations. Yesterday, March 24, 2020, my calendar pictured two trapeze artists. The caption read: “Only Connect.”

Our Governor, J.B. Pritzker, has asked all Illinoisans to practice social distancing and those who are non-essential workers are asked to stay at home so that the spread of the COVID-19 virus might decrease. So I am staying at home. I don’t like it. I miss church. I miss going out to lunch with friends. I miss singing with the SIU Choral Union which has been canceled for the semester. But because I do not want this virus to spread,  except for a daily walk outside or an essential trip to the store, I am staying at home.

During this time of isolation, people have become very creative. I have enjoyed watching churches live stream meaningful services of worship while at the same time maintaining socially distancing. I have been inspired by the meditations and prayers posted on social media by my friends and colleagues. I have received numerous phone calls from those I hold dear both far and wide. It seems to me that many of us are working hard to connect.

Yesterday I received a wondeful gift.  It simply would not have happened except for this unique time in our lives.  Last night, I participated in my former Centering Prayer Group (pictured above) via Zoom.   I connected with friends I hadn’t seen in over a year.  Most of those who “zoomed in” were located in the Richmond, VA, area but I was in Illinois and one of our members participated from Uzbekistan! We prayed together and then each of us share a high and a low that is occurring in our lives during this unique period of time.  We prayed again.  It was a holy moment.  My heart was bursting with joy.  Being connected is a wonderful gift.

I hope you are finding ways to connect.  Perhaps together we can discover holy moments in the midst of this new reality. 

I count it all joy,

Vallerie