First Baptist Church of Herndon

Strange but Familiar

Linda Soller | Jun 29, 2020

I have returned to working in the office two days a week. It’s strange but familiar. I continue to be amazed at how we are able to adapt quickly sometimes and not so much other times. I clearly remember the drive home the last day I was in the office and it was much like my drive back to the office the first morning of my return. Part of me wondering what was instore for me, part of me looking forward to certain aspects of what lie ahead, and part of me dreading the unfamiliar. 

I think we can all agree that the last few months have been somewhat strange. We found ourselves drowning in change. The instructions were not always clear - stay home, no need to wear a mask, yes wear a mask, no tests available, test available for some, safe to phase back, not really safe yet, stay away from people to protect yourself. The atmosphere was tense to say the least. We looked to our leaders and needless to say they were not up to the challenge. In the midst of this strangeness our attention was drawn back to an all too familiar pattern of discrimination and violence.  A Black man died as he cried out to breath, another was shot as he jogged, and so we saw history repeating itself.  What happened next was also a bit strange. Despite the virus, despite the fear for one’s own health came resistance. People came together to protest the treatment of others. It might not have been the safest personal choice, but strangely enough it was the right choice. People taking risks for others had also become a familiar site as health care workers lived and died fighting the virus. 

As we tip toe into our future, a bit hesitant as to what we will find waiting, let us pray to God to help us make freedom familiar for all. May the Lord help us to see prejudice as a strange thing and violence as unacceptable. May we see humanity in all its colors, sizes, and forms as a familiar and wonderful gift.

Faith is an action word! :o) Linda