Hi to you, friendly eyes!

I love people. Who would have guessed, since I am pastor… So, I am the kind of person that starts conversations with basically anybody. My husband gets really annoyed with me when we take a stroll through our neighborhood and I stop every now and then for a quick chitchat. In my mind that only takes like nearly no time. My husband thinks I am talking for hours. The truth lies somewhere in between (and around 5-15 minutes on average).

It’s one of the reasons why I love living here so much. Because people are open-minded and friendly and chatty. When the Shelter-in-place began, I noticed even more conversations across the streets in my block. Neighbors checking in with each-other regularly, kids waving at each other from a safe distance. It’s heart-warming.

But alack, when I pass by people in the streets. With or without masks. Of course, we all make space for each other. My kids are well trained in “jumping into the bushes” to make sure that they stay 6 feet apart. It’s the one thing I have been yelling the most: “Keep your distance. 6 feet!” What astonishes me though is that with keeping their distance people stopped greeting or smiling or at least nodding at each other.

Just today, we were hiking and every 20 minutes somebody had to pass by us on this narrow trail. Everyone tried to sneak by as if they were up to something. Of course, I didn’t let them and said “Hi”. Well, 2 out 5 just kept their eyes down. I feel like being back in Northern Germany (watch out for stereotypes), where you only talk to people you have known for years. The others reacted surprised, they slowed down for a couple of seconds, looked at me and mumbled: “Hi!” More than nothing, I would say.

A friend of mine finally explained it to me when she admitted: “You know, I love people. But somehow, now I mostly see them as a threat. Anyone could carry around the virus. Suddenly, I am afraid of people. It makes me feel horrible.”

And I get it. I do. We are all afraid. Yet, it’s simple: “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” (Proverbs 12:25) Maybe one of our ministries can be to cheer people up. Simply by greeting them. Simply by continuing to see them as God’s beloved children, not as a threat.

Hi to everyone and God bless, your Pastor Tia!