Recently we were once again joyfully permitted to attend worship services, though with many regulations in place.

Thanks be to God! Although livestreaming is a Godsend, it is not the same as physically gathering to worship. I have been a church-goer for over seventy years, and have never experienced such a difficult time in regards to church life, and life in general, as the years 2020-21, suppose, as well as many other people, thought nothing would or could ever change. Surely we were living in the most blessed time in history! We were healthy and wealthy, and enjoyed such peace in our country and world, never before surpassed in length and quality! But suddenly in 2020 the world changed.

The point of this is not to discuss what we lost, or conspiracy theories, vaccines, or whether the government overreached into our lives. Because although it seemed like we all lost much in the past year, we also gained. Families were forced to isolate togeth­er and become reacquainted with each other. Many parents say that although school at home was difficult, they enjoyed reconnecting with their children, talking, playing games, and exercising together. Hopefully it was a time when children and teens were encouraged to put away their devices and relearn how to fellowship with siblings once again.

We certainly realized that during the forced isolation that the world has drastically changed. People are no longer polite to one another in public, and anger and frustration and agitation is commonplace. The pandemic caused a fundamental change in how elections are held in the world, causing distressing upheav­als and violence in many places.

At home, among church people, meetings were held virtu­ally, where men and women stayed home and met via Zoom or similar avenues, reducing travel time and fuel expenses. Consistory, council, committees, school boards, and study soci­eties all stopped meeting physically. And churches and Christian schools did not disintegrate! In fact, some deaconries reported that they experienced an influx of donations in anticipation of layoffs and unemployment among church members.

But the one thing that was possibly lacking was fellowship-ping among peers, and practical concern for those who might be suffering. Moms of small or teenaged children suddenly had their lives completely disrupted. Add to that difficult marriages and troubled children who acted out at home, and Mom is suddenly wondering about her sanity. Some dads, who had old habits of not helping moms much at home, or simply being a silent bystander, did not always change and step up to help their spouse. After all, they had never needed to step up before. Even in the church community, abuse was showing up. Some moms are at the ends of their ropes, wanting nothing more than to simply walk away. (These are general statements and not necessarily true in all communities.)

One Sunday as I recently sat three rows behind a young mother alone with her youngsters in the pew, I read despair on her face. Her husband was at home with the baby because the nursery was closed. After the service, I contacted her and asked if I could help in any way, but regulations restricted what I could do. As an elderly woman, I was unsure if I could actually handle one of her squirmy children beside me in the pew, but I knew I should offer anyways.

She was tearful and ashamed. Why was she ashamed? What expectations have we laid on our young wives/mothers, that they feel they need to perform flawlessly? Why had her husband not offered to have the second youngest stay home with him, so she could at least get something out of the service? Is it a weak­ness to admit you cannot do it all? Have Facebook and Pinterest caused an inferiority complex among our young wives/mothers?

Another time a story came to me of a mother appealing to her pastor to help her in her difficulties of managing a difficult husband and several teens. She was told to go to a counsellor, that he was not best equipped to deal with her issues. The pastor probably did not realize that if her husband was difficult, she would not be able to see a counsellor, as their services come with a price-tag he would not be willing to pay. Or that possibly her husband would never allow her to get counselling as it may reflect on his reputation. It was a neat hand-off, if somewhat unhelpful. I am not saying that the pastor was wrong, however it was an appeal for help for which he possibly could have found another resolution.

These situations are more visible during a pandemic. The devil is going about like a roaring lion, seeking those he can devour. We as believers are not immune. We are in the end times, darkness is encircling us. However, we need not be afraid, God is still firmly in control and his plan for the world is unfolding. However, is it not now that we need to be vigor­ously supporting one another? Let us put away all distractions and make an effort towards our fellow believers; that young Mom or Dad, that lonely senior, or troubled teen. If we have the time, offer to mentor a youngster who is having trouble coping with his stresses and problems. Take him to McDonalds once a month and get him to talk to you. It doesn’t take much, and the rewards are great.

Father God gave his Son Jesus Christ to redeem us from the darkness and sin. Let us reflect gratitude for that redemption, by loving our neighbour. Diligently practice the communion of saints, and he will use us to become a blessing to others.