Do not fear, for God is with you

AM Psalm 119:1-24 • PM Psalm 12, 13, 14
Isa. 41:1-16 • Eph. 2:1-10 • Mark 1:29-45

As I start the new year, hopefully leaving behind the fear, confusion and isolation of 2020, I could have no better encouragement than the reading from Isaiah today.

“Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you.” (v10)

Thanks, God! I needed that! Maybe we all need that. We are so weary, so tired of COVID! I want to be able to hug people. I want to be able to worship together in person rather than on Facebook. I never realized how much I missed being able to hug and love on people until I hugged my grandson over Christmas. I was surprised at my reaction and my joy. My whole body seemed to melt into his little 6-year-old body. I think I might have held him a little too long. I so enjoyed feeling his love and his little arms wrapped around my waist. I had something; I had always taken for granted.

But then maybe that is the point! Maybe that is some of the good that will come out of the last ten months. We will appreciate our relationships more. We will appreciate the time we will be able to spend with each other in person. We will appreciate the warmth of hugs and hold each other just a little longer. We will notice how our bodies and our souls are filled with the love we are created for.

Until then I turn once again to Isaiah, “Each one helps the other, saying to one another, ‘Take Courage’” (v6). So, take courage, encourage each other and until we can hold each other in our arms, we will continue to hold each other in our hearts.

Written by Chris Schaefer

Chris looks forward to hugging all her grandchildren and all her friends at St. Theodore’s, St. Paul’s and everywhere else. Until then, air hugs and holding them in her heart will suffice.