Real Life Encounters

When I run into people I don’t frequently see face-to-face, but often see on Facebook, I say, “Look at you, people I only see on Facebook!”  That comment always gets a laugh!  Now, what’s happening are encounters with people I’ve only previously met on Zoom.  Last year at this time, we started the school year with all meetings conducted online.  All of last year’s new teachers, I met through Zoom meetings.  Many, I have never seen face-to-face until now.  

During my 8 week blog break, I began attending a morning workout class.  Most mornings, it’s a similar group of people.  Sometimes the trainer will ask that everyone find a partner.  One morning, after being a part of this group for several weeks, the lady next to me became my partner, and as we introduced ourselves we realized we were colleagues.  We have been on Zoom calls with each other nearly every week for the past year, and had worked out together many mornings, but were just realizing it!  

A local park held it’s grand re-opening and as I walked the boardwork, I spoke to a lady and kept walking, but something about her seemed familiar.  I mustered the courage to ask her if her name was Tina.  She said, “Yes, are you Mrs. Massey?”  We embraced briefly!  We have shared many Zooms, but had never seen each other outside the Zoom box! 

I was excited to finally see another teacher this week for the first time!  She and I have Zoomed, we have talked by phone, we have FaceTimed, we’re FaceBook friends, we’ve chatted on Messenger, texted - all of it - but this week we were finally face-to-face.  She made this post.  She is right, we should have taken a picture!


I don’t know if you have experienced any encounters such as this, but it is pretty exciting!  Zoom has been a great solution to the need for collaborating while social distancing, but it’s no substitute for face-to-face interaction.  We are all more than our little square can convey.  While it’s exciting to encounter one another, I don’t have the words to describe what our encounter with Jesus will feel like when we are finally face to face with Him.  We have read so much about Him in Scripture.  We read about the woman who believed if she could just touch the hem of his garment she would be healed.  ”Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 9:20-22)  We know who Jesus is based on His words recorded in the Gospels.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  28I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.”  (John 10:27-28)  He also said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”  (John 14:1)

Do you believe in Jesus?  Do you look forward to that day when you can touch the hem of His garment.  Do you look forward to sitting at His right hand?  What an encounter that will be! 

 

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