Who Is In Your QuaranTEAM?

We are encouraged to be responsible members of our families and communities during this pandemic. We are urged to employ practices which not only keep us safer, but also those around us safer. As we think about the changes in our lifestyle these past few months, we sometimes become discouraged, feel isolated, inhibited, and lonely. Those are all real and understandable feelings. What we can’t do seems to be overwhelming. But there are many things we can do.

Think of the many people in your life that you can positively influence through care. Think of this circle of people as your QuaranTEAM. You are working together to support one another. The Bible talks about our responsibility to each other in many ways:

• “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31
• “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
• “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
• “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
• We even have the interesting account of a group of lepers who began to loot and feast from the camp of an army God had scared off. It wasn’t long until the lepers concluded “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news.” Even though they had been shunned by their community (because of leprosy), they felt a sense of duty to go back to their community and report the great thing God had done. Read the whole story in 2 Kings 7  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+7&version=NKJV

There are things we can’t safely do right now, but here are some of the many things we CAN do:

• We can reach out to others. We are not limited in our ability to write notes, text, email, telephone, video chat etc. We are blessed by the many ways we can connect with people. We brighten a person’s day when we connect and simply say, “I was thinking about you, praying for you, missing your smiling face” etc.
• You can play games on platforms like Zoom. Adapt and have fun!

• You can watch a streaming movie with others and then discuss it afterwards.
• Plan a Zoom gettogether for friends or family and encourage them to have a personal Christmas story or memory ready to share.
• We can be a friendly, encouraging person to those around us, from a distance. Wave at your neighbor. Wish them well. Inquire about their families.
• Be extra kind to the people who deliver things to us. Many are working those jobs because they lost their regular job, or in addition to their regular job. Show your appreciation and be generous in your tipping.
• Look for extra opportunities to be supportive of those in need. Didn’t spend as much on your Thanksgiving celebration this year? Consider donating to a food bank or other charity that responds to people’s needs.

The Bible demonstrates this in our most important relationship: the one we have with God through Jesus. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” John 15:5,8,9

You and your loved ones are not alone. God’s love knows no boundaries. May He bless you as you reflect His love to those in your QuaranTEAM!