March 20, 2020 (Friday)
The measures being promoted to slow down the spread of the corona virus emphasize what is being called “social distancing.” Limit groups to ten. Remain at least six feet away from everyone else. Do not shake hands or touch other people. Are we following the suggestions?
Well, three days ago on St. Patrick’s Day, the news channels were showing videos of huge groups of people, celebrating togetherness in their celebrations. Man is a social creature and finds it hard to practice social distancing.
Practicing this necessary behavior is difficult for those involved often in church worship services. We preach “get together,” “tear down the walls,” asking “you want a hug?” or just giving a hug anyway, wanted or not. That’s the way we’ve learned to do things as we express our love for each other. Teaching ourselves to act differently is hard for those who are taught togetherness like a loving family.
We must, nonetheless, cooperate with the idea of “social distancing” if we are to combat this pandemic. We need to prioritize our actions in light of the federal state of emergency and the Texas health disaster pronouncements that ask us to do what we can to prevent the spread of this awful infection which has already killed thousands in many countries. The number of deaths in our country is rising every day.
An old song introduced 53 years ago expresses our natural desires to have close fellowship with each other:
HAPPY TOGETHER
Words: Alan Gordon
Music: Gary Bonner
1967
Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night
It’s only right
To think about the girl you love
And hold her tight
So happy together
If I should call you up, invest a dime
And you say you belong to me
And ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be
So very fine
So happy together
I can’t see me loving nobody but you for all my life
When you’re with me, baby, the skies will be blue for all my life
Me and you and you and me
No matter how they tossed the dice
It had to be
The only one for me is you
And you for me
So happy together
I can’t see me loving nobody but you for all my life
When you’re with me, baby, the skies will be blue for all my life
Me and you and you and me
No matter how they tossed the dice
It had to be
The only one for me is you
And you for me
So happy together
…
Me and you and you and me
No matter how they tossed the dice
It had to be
The only one for me is you
And you for me
So happy together
So happy together
How is the weather?
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
We’re happy together
So happy together
So happy together