Love in times of crisis

When I look around (from a safe distance), I see a world facing unprecedented challenges, the worst of which is the real and present danger of the Coronavirus to our most vulnerable. It is horrible to see the numbers of people dying from this alarming disease. What is also deeply concerning is that those who are affected are the most vulnerable in our society. Among those are cancer sufferers. Facing cancer in normal circumstances is horrendous. Facing cancer during a worldwide pandemic is unspeakably awful.

My precious life-long friend who I have been privileged to have known and loved since I was in primary school, has lung cancer. It is devastating enough to see her suffering, but now, with the impact of Covid 19, a new, potentially life-saving trial was closed to new participants. It is utterly heart-breaking that this option has been closed to her.

My friend's Dad died yesterday of cancer. A popular man with children and grandchildren, his funeral will be restricted to a small number due to the guidance on group gatherings.

An older (but very sprightly) neighbour is being treated for cancer and faces regular treatment in our local hospital and lengthy queues for blood tests where it is almost impossible to be a safe distance from others equally in need.

My Dad has experienced Corona-like symptoms which exacerbated his COPD and, despite the fact that he is extremely fit and healthy for his age (he will probably disown me for this, he is in his early 70s), he is considered high risk. This means that despite an active life that belies his age, he now has to self-isolate for three months. An unpleasant prospect for a man who, having lost my Mum a few years ago, is saddened that his life choices have been curtailed and fears loneliness.

Many of my friends' parents are facing similar struggles with cancer, dementia, alzheimers and heart conditions whilst my father-in-law has Parkinson's disease among other health issues.

So, now, in these hugely difficult times, we need to bring love and light to those around us, find new ways of communicating and helping others practically, spiritually and emotionally. There is no better time to follow Jesus's word and apply our hearts and minds to navigate these troubled times. We can help those in our communities and friendship groups to be safe and know they are loved. We can pray for our world and seek to bolster our faith and share this with others. We can be thoughtful and find ways of helping our neighbours whilst respecting the guidance we have been given by the Government. We can all worship, but in different ways. Most of all, we should be guided by love.

Amanda

What is love?

When I think of heaven, I don't think of angels or rivers of gold.

The heaven I imagine is filled to the brim with overwhelming love. Love that is untainted by the body's frailties, insecurity, worry and fear of loss. On earth, it is love that connects us all, love that enriches our lives and love that makes our hearts sing. In 1 Peter 4.8 he says "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins". It is love that has inspired infinitesimal songs, poems and works of art. Love underpins acts of kindness and compassion and evokes joy.

But love has a darker underbelly. Love on earth is tainted with loss. My heart aches at the loss of my kind, gentle sister, my clever, quirky Mum and the many friends and family I have lost to cancer and other diseases. Love endures after death but it is still painful to not be in touching distance of those I have loved and are no longer with us.

While it is heart-breaking to see the suffering of the people I love, it is incredibly uplifting when I see how indefatigable love is in the face of adversity. A popular reading at weddings is 1 Corinthians 13, "Love is patient, love is kind"..."It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." So, today, and always, I remember all my loved ones, those who are in a better place and those whose struggles continue and I know for sure that love conquers all.

Amanda