COVID-19 JOURNAL #6 “LOOK FOR THE HELPERS”
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COVID-19 JOURNAL #6 “LOOK FOR THE HELPERS”
In his May 4th talk in the series “Habits of Grace,” Bishop Michael Curry cited a story Mr. Rogers once told about his mother*:
When he was a little boy, he asked her about scary things in the news—about difficult and painful things in the news—and his mother gave him some simple advice of how to handle that. She said to him, “Always look for the Helpers.”
I have a sneaking suspicion that signs of God’s continued watchful care, signs of hope, are in the helpers.
This past April 27th was the 100th birthday of one of those helpers. Captain Tom More**, retired Royal Air Force, celebrated his 100th birthday. But even of more significance than that, earlier in April Captain More, who had just had hip surgery—he was 99 at the time—began trying to raise money for the health system in Britain. And he hoped to raise about 1,000 pounds, by walking and asking people to give on a web site.
Well, he raised more than 1,000 pounds… Between the beginning of April and his birthday on April 27th he raised more than 40 million dollars! People from all over the world gave money to support and help the National Health System during this crisis. People from all over the world…
Mr. Roger’s mother was right. If you want to see the hand of God even in the midst of the most difficult times, look for the helpers.
I thought about the helpers I know, and know of: A friend who works at Walmart—there every day, mask and all (once they got masks)—a place whose doors I have not darkened since February, and don’t plan to; the postal deliverers who come every day into this building of 50 apartments; the Amazon, Fedex, and UPS drivers who come right to my apartment door with my orders; the postal clerk behind the counter (of necessity not 3 feet from the customer); the homemakers and home health aides who come faithfully into the apartments of the elderly here; the building manager who comes in and often goes door to door with notices; the nursing home caregivers who cannot avoid physical contact with their patients; the grocery store staff stationed at the counters (not 3 feet from the customer); the pharmacists and assistants; the truck drivers moving food, oil, gasoline, etc. over the land to keep us all supplied; those answering phones at 2-1-1 and other hotlines; the state governors and health departments; nurses, doctors, and hospital staff; custodians and maintenance workers… In a word, those who have not been able to stay safely at home as I have, or who have chosen not to, in order to serve others—shopping for them, running errands, caring for their health, etc.
It struck me that these people, regardless of what their personal belief systems may be, are doing in actuality what others may only give lip-service to. In one of his letters, John says, “Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”*** What is serving others before self, if not love?
At the end of his talk, Bishop Curry read this prayer for Helpers:
Compassionate God, support and strengthen all those who reach out in love, concern, and prayer for the sick and the distressed. In their acts of compassion, may they know that they are your instruments. In their concerns and fears, may they know your peace. In their prayer, may they know your steadfast love. May they not grow weary or fainthearted, for your mercy’s sake.
Amen.
—Lfj Gill
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* “Habits of Grace,” May 4, 2020, Bishop Michael Curry. https://episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/habits-grace-may-4-2020-invitation- you-presiding-bishop-curry
** https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/world/europe/captain-tom-moore.html
*** 1 John 4:16
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