Our little dog, a Malti-Poo named Bella, has been sheltering-in-place for her 12 ½ years. As a rescue dog she began life in cage, then moved on to become Lady and Ruler of a house.
In the early morning hours, she sleeps on the love seat on the patio. She then moves to the guest bedroom to curl up and sleep until early afternoon. Then down the stairs she comes, heads outside for a moment only to take a nap in her bed by the fireplace in the family room. Dinner time has her lay on the floor by which ever table we occupy. In the evening after a hard day of rest she alternates between her bed and the family room couch. At night she sleeps on either her cushion in our bedroom or on the floor…that is, unless there is a storm with thunder and lightning. Then she hops on the bed to be near those whom she apparently thinks can protect her from all things loud and frightening.
Bella does enjoy a morning walk, dinner, and occasional treats thrown her way. As Lady and Ruler of the house, with voracious barking, she protects us from all who dare walk their dogs in the park behind our home. She provides ecstatic welcome for any who leave the house and return. Going to and from the mailbox, leaving the house for just a few minutes, qualifies for such a celebratory welcome. For Bella life goes on mostly as it has been throughout her life. She is oblivious to all that is happening around our world. Life goes on interrupted.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we too could live in the bubble of life inhabited by our pets? It would seem some would encourage us to do so as though that was possible. But we are not animals dependent upon someone to care and feed us and make all our major decisions for us. . We are independent folk called to live with interactive, relational, and responsible lives. We have to make our own decisions and accept the results. But our life has been interrupted.
Actually we have had a sampling of living in a bubble lately, haven’t we? The adjudication on this type of life has not been less than positive. Did you enjoy being alone? Even if huddled with family, did you not miss going out and being among others? Were there not other loved ones you wanted to spend time with? We have been created to be in relationship and it pains us when we can’t live accordingly.
With all that is going on regarding the COVID 19 numbers there are calls for many responses. One that I have not heard often is a complete return to sheltering in place for an indefinite time. It seems we have had enough of that experience. Bubble living is not for us.
What is called for in an environment of a dangerous disease spread from person to person? How does Christian faith, following Jesus, relate?
First, we need to recognize it is not about us. It is about all of us, including ourselves. That means our choices, our behaviors, need to take others into consideration. We simply cannot for now live and act as we once did. Those new appendages and fashion statements called masks not only are a sign of care and respect for others, they greatly symbolize we recognize our response to this pandemic can’t be all about us.
Second, as those who follow one who was a healer, we need to look for places where we can bring healing. Where might there be pain and struggle that we might address?
I wonder if the huge outbreak of support for George Floyd and justice reform is somehow tied to our experience in this pandemic. Of course, the empathy and support of such a cause is long overdue. But as those sitting around wondering and wishing we could do something…..did this give us a positive, needed, avenue to do something? Did sheltering in place humble us a bit and move us to a greater willingness for repentance?
I don’t know, really. What stands out to me is this: even in a very critical culture- changing time there are major things that can be accomplished. Things beyond a larger 401K and missing eating out at our favorite haunt.
People of God, people of Jesus, love and care for your pets. Just don’t chose to live like them.