Compassion goes a long way during these trying times.
After weeks of being quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I needed to escape to a place where I could photograph the beauty of nature from somewhere other than outside the backdoor. A place where others wouldn't be.
I decided to drive to my dentist’s office for the photo op. I know, I know. A dental office is an unlikely place to whip out my camera, but there’s a reason why I chose to go there.
During my last dental visit, I noticed finches on the other side of a window where I was sitting. The songbirds fluttered to a bird feeder in a garden just beyond the glass pane.
My dentist told me about a time when a National Geographic photographer sat on a bench in the garden taking pictures of those same birds. When I revealed my passion for photography, he invited me to stop by the garden anytime.
What better way to venture out during the quarantine than by going someplace where other people aren’t—outside a shutdown medical office.
As I took these photos, other birds visited the feeder, too. A cardinal. A bluejay. And even a non-avian species—squirrels.
Watching the various creatures congregate at the bird feeder brought to mind how humans come together to feel connected. To have fellowship with one another.
However, socializing has been discouraged during these trying times. We’ve isolated and self-quarantined for the protection of ourselves and others.
Such health practices occurred in ancient times, too. The Bible notes how people avoided those with leprosy in particular. Lepers lived outside of cities, usually alone. They were the social outcasts of their day. To add insult to injury, they were required to warn of their “uncleanliness” to anyone headed in their direction. (Leviticus 13:45-46 NKJV).
I experienced this same type of leeriness toward me as concern for the Coronavirus began to escalate. You see, about two weeks before my hospital began turning away nonessential personnel, acquaintances I encountered after each workday stepped away from me. I saw firsthand the anxiety in their eyes as I came into close proximity. Their worries centered on possible exposure to the virus through me. Their concerns were understandable since I’m the hospital’s newborn photographer and touch the babies as well as interact with their parents. Hence, I had a tiny glimpse into how lepers most likely felt when others avoided them back when Jesus walked the earth.
Jesus had no fear of men. He had no fear of government. (Matthew 22:15-22) And He certainly had no fear of diseases. Scripture documents one of His encounters with a man who was afflicted with leprosy.
“Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, ‘If You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-42 NKJV)
Take note of Jesus’ first reaction when this diseased man approached Him. He was “moved with compassion.” (Mark 1:41) Compassion drove our Lord to reach out and touch the leper in order to heal him. And just like Jesus, we have the opportunity to react with compassion as well.
Yes, we need to adhere to social distancing, but let’s do so with kindness. Be patient with the elderly man shuffling down the supermarket aisle in front of you. Be courteous to the overwhelmed cashier who just handled a cash transaction with a patron not wearing gloves. And take time to acknowledge a stranger who may be quarantined by herself.
Even though you may be unable to comfort someone with a human touch, reach out to that person with a smile. Your lips may be hidden behind a mask, yet your smile can still be seen through your eyes.
Let’s all be kind and compassionate during these trying times.
Have a blessed day.
