A Bursting Bubble: thoughts from isolation

New Zealand is using "bubble" terminology to fight against the spread of Covid-19. "Staying in your bubble" means those who aren't essential workers must stay in their houses, yards, and areas, only leaving to get needed items. I know I'm simplifying it and I'm about to generalize, but families have been confined to their fifth-acre sections (bubbles) for the greater good and protection of those who would be considered high risk - like my own father who is over 70, has a lung disease, and was hospitalized last year due to blood clots.

Beth and I both got Covid-19, and have been recovering. I wrote about being an essential worker, getting the virus, and being confined to our own little bubble here in Chicago. Covid-19: It Was Inevitable

What I want to focus on in this post is how our bubble has been very different from what I described above. I also want to focus on how we have experienced and been on the receiving end of a bursting bubble of love, generosity, and compassion. I recently wrote about "being the church with the least of these" in these times of crisis, and we have definitely felt Kingdom Love from so many around the world at this time. My goal isn't to judge and compare, but to recognize and acknowledge those who have lifted us up and assisted us during this confusing time. The Kingdom of God is in our midst, let us be embraced by this loving Kingdom, so the world can be moving in the loving, compassionate, and just direction Jesus intended. 

Our bubble is a room - a small room with our own bathroom, and a bedroom each for our 2 children. We live in an old hotel that has been fashioned to suit us, we live in an intentional community, where over a hundred of us choose to share meals, hallways, a common dining room, laundry slots, kitchens, and a side yard. Our space doesn't seem that small or restricted until a vicious deadly virus hits the planet, strikes us, and forces us into isolation. Living this way only works when we put others before ourselves, realizing that the "infected me" could infect my elderly neighbor who is more likely to get pneumonia or be put on a ventilator. With a few of our immediate neighbors being over 60 and having other health concerns, we were highly aware that this virus could be transferred by the "infected us" simply touching the microwave that everyone uses on our floor, a door handle, by using the same phone, or by getting rolls of toilet paper down the hallway. 

We needed others to help us, so others wouldn't be hurt by us. 

The Kingdom of God is seen through the active outworking of "loving our neighbors as ourselves". As independent as Beth and I are, in our times of need, we have been eternally grateful recipients of this sisterly and brotherly love and compassion. This generosity we received is similar to when people rallied around us when Muriwai was having life-threatening seizures just days after she was born. Such acts of kindness and charity are what the Church should be known for. As we look upon the Kingdom of God, we shouldn't see a violent colonizing group of thugs wanting their own way, but a loving people who are actively and lovingly lifting up and empowering those who are weak, fragile, and marginalized - for this is the power of the gospel! 

...and, thankfully, a bursting bubble of compassionate generosity and love was showered upon us during our time of need...

...and, thank you to all who made our little bubble bearable and liveable...

• thank you to those who brought up our meals daily
• thank you to those who took out our trash
• thank you to those who got us toilet paper
• thank you to those who bought us an Instant Pot 
• thank you to those who made us meals, like Tom Kha Kai
• thank you to those who brought us chocolate, tea, and other snacks 
• thank you to those who bought us groceries
• thank you to those who offered to buy us food, but we never took up the offer
• thank you to those who did our massive piles of laundry  
• thank you to those who sent us flowers 

...but the love and generosity didn't stop there, it manifested itself through many video calls, texts, phone calls, and messages on social media. They came from literally just a couple feet away (separated by a wall) and from too many places across the globe to mention. Whether you live in the same building as us, Uptown, the West Side, Peoria, El Paso, Italy, Matamata, Whangamata, or Auckland, thank you - your words and prayers encouraged and lifted us up.   

...and finally, Kingdom Love didn't stop there either, it manifested itself through many acts of kindness to those living at CCO. Beth and I couldn't be there, (along with other staff), so we knew how understaffed we were and how others had a greater burden. As a result, many risked their health and were willing to leave the comfort of their homes to come and help us out - this is what "being the Church" is! It was so encouraging to hear from local pastors and churches asking what they could do, we'd offer ideas, and then they'd go ahead and do it!

• thank you to those who have helped prepare and serve meals
• thank you to those who made packages for the children
• thank you to those who brought us cleaning supplies
• thank you to those who delivered lunches and dinners 
• thank you to those who made masks 
• thank you to those who bought all the families KFC and how it fed everybody in all the programs
• thank you to those who were willing to come in and lift heavy equipment to ease some burdens
• thank you to our amazing coworkers who were willing to carry our weight on their shoulders
• thank you to all the countless actions and efforts that I'm failing to mention, but were done in love

Thank you! 

Thank you for letting me see God's Kingdom moving in our midst.

Thank you for impacting and touching our wonderful community

Thank you for Being the Church With the "Least of These"