Covid Greeting

Have you experienced that awkwardness lately when you encounter a close friend?

How do we greet one another?

In the past we would naturally extend the hand for a handshake or give a quick friendly hug.  Now a days, we find ourselves teetering between how we used to live life pre-covid and how we now live with certain health precautions for ourselves and for those we meet.

In the spring and summer, the early days of Covid, we saw creative responses such as a distant two-handed wave, which I suppose two hands conveys more sincerity and a deeper love than a one-handed wave.  And then others began expressing their love by giving air hugs from 6 feet apart.

Now with people growing a bit more weary of the restraints, we see more elbow knocking and those who are brave beginning to fist bump.  And, for sure, there are those who have thrown caution to the wind and move full speed ahead with a full body embrace.

While prior to Covid we had already moved away from the Apostle Paul’s charge to greet one another with a Holy Kiss, we did realize the importance of physical touch as a needed expression of love, of acknowledging one’s importance and friendship value.

Health officials point out that during these past months, the decline in intimate interaction with love ones and friends has had a devastating effect on people and especially those who live alone.

Long periods of isolation increase feelings of loneliness, despair, and depression.  Overtime people begin to feel not only unloved but also unlovable.

In the absence of physical touch, the intentionality of our words become even more important.  While in the past, words may have flowed from our mouths without much thought, in this season of life they help close the gap in our physical distancing.

Phrases like “I love you,” “I’m thinking of you,” “I care for you,” when said with genuineness can actually make more of an impact than a handshake or a quick hug. 

Also, our often-used phrase, “How are you doing?” must mean more than another way to say hello and pass by.  We must really make time to hear how people are doing, to know if they are hurting, to love by giving time to listen.

With what the health experts say looks like a second wave of Covid hitting us now, I pray we become even more intentional with our words, with our expressions of love and valuing of another by the calls I make, the words I say and the time I give.

Yes, we will still have those awkward moments when we see someone but let us not miss the opportunity to encourage the heart and lift the soul.