All across California fires are displacing people from their homes, from their families, and destroying lifetime memories. Recently, I was in the Sacramento area breathing in poor quality air while wearing a face mask and social distancing. It all seems surreal when you think about the current environment of fear and panic and what is real and what is unreal, what is important and what is unimportant. My friend's daughter woke to her home on fire and thankfully she had family nearby who helped her grab what was salvageable and now she's back in the bedroom of her youth. The family reunion to celebrate dad's 90th birthday party was emotional because of the close call. Tragedy sometimes enriches the meaning of "family."
So often we take those around us for granted. Friends who we send an occasional Text messages to and family who we only communicate with via social media with uploaded photos that say, "Look at me." It is a one way street that gives others very little of our time, our attention, and our connection is shallow at best. Coronavirus has made us isolate and many are okay with it because they were alone and out of touch prior to the pandemic. We have become a society fixated on "me" and the connection of "we" has diminished. It takes effort to be in relationship beyond the technology of our choice and many feel the effort isn't worth the payoff, until there is no more opportunity to connect. Then regret pours in as we realize the missed opportunities will never be realized.
Don't let this sad scenario happen to you. Don't let the fear of the unknown hold you back from seeing family and friends. Don't let the fact that life has limitations (and one of those is the possibility of death) hold you back. Don't forfeit your life trying to keep it. Live it completely, share it openly, and embrace the lives of others around you. Joy is only steps away.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it,
but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 16:25