So, You're Sick

We have become a society of germophobes.  Cover your mouth - better yet, stay home - sick people have no business walking around infecting people.

So what do we do? We wash our hands. We grab our Clorox wipes and keep things wiped down. We call our schools, who insist on knowing more than the nurse knows, to inform them of our various and sundry runny noses.

I am poking a little fun, but in all seriousness, we should take care not to spread our germs as much as is possible - and, as long as our fear doesn't over take our love for humanity.  What a great opportunity we have in the church to show love again.  In a time when people treat the common cold almost as if it were leprosy.  We must yell out "unclean, unclean, Achoo!" But instead of responding in horror - we can respond with some chicken soup; with some groceries; with our cleaning kit - with a cup of coffee and conversation for a mom who's been stuck at home for three days with sick children.
I hear all the time "I'm too busy to be sick."  Goodness! I've said that!  I've begged God to help me stay well and keep the children healthy through flu season.  Last year, we became ill and could not participate at church.  I apologized after the fact to one of our pastors for putting them in a pinch - and his response was "we don't want you here. Stay at home." Well, I guess - yes.  We're staying home.  But it was that phrase "we don't want you here." Boy, that connotes self-centeredness and no concern for the fellowman.  It belays an attitude for "me".  Concern and love for the fellow Christian would have said "I'm glad you're here now" Or, "are you feeling better? Is there anything I can do for you?"
Oh, Lord, let my love for my fellow man move me to encourage and befriend my neighbor!

I Peter 2 says "Dear friends, I warn you as temporary residents and foreigners to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors...For you are free, yet you are God's slaves, so don't use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God, and respect the king."

This is a link to a favorite story of mine.  A story about early Christians who stayed while everyone else fled.

http://www.thetruthproject.org/about/culturefocus/Rev-Sirico-on-the-Early-Church.aspx