To the couple in the park:
We saw you walking towards us, you seemed like a nice couple. You were smiling and talking and when we came near to you on the path, you looked at us with smiling expressions. We greeted you with “hello, good morning, how are you today?” But you said nothing to us, as you looked us up and down with discerning faces. Then at once, you turned to face each other, smiled more widely and kept walking.
It seems these days, it is easier to ignore people who are kind and judge them for whatever you can, so you can dismiss them and walk away, perhaps to save energy by not returning a greeting. Perhaps it was, because you were just unprepared.
Was it the talismanic mantra of “social distancing” the media and society has played for you for the past months that did it? Were you afraid to speak to us and thought it would be a sign of weakness to greet another couple in the park? Or was it simply too hard for you to deal with people for fear of getting sick with a virus so many fear?
This event would not be so remarkable or even important enough to write about, if it was the only time it happened while walking in the park. Beautiful couples, walking and enjoying the day seem full of light, but when presented with speaking to another person or couple, are unable to bring themselves to return a cordial greeting. Perhaps it is the times (Matthew 24:12)? Perhaps these are the fruits of social distancing, which has caused people to discard being kind, being joyful, and being ready to meet others.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:36
Some of you reading this right now might have even done the same. Perhaps this post is making you angry right now and you are feeling judged or condemned, because you too have had people say hello to you, but you chose to ignore them, because of fear of strangers, fear of getting sick, or perhaps your mind wasn’t in the right place at the moment. If so, I am sorry! You see, this post isn’t about judging or condemnation from me for anyone. I forgive all people, and I love all people. I only want people to know the truth.
The truth that we will never know the day or the hour when we might be greeted by an angel or angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2), or most importantly, when our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will return and greet us (Matthew 24:36). It would be good for our eternal souls to be ready and simply be kind in all situations. Let us repent and be ready. Let us be watchful, to take the time to greet others, while always practicing love and mercy. Love each other as He loves us.
Kindness matters. You are loved! ❤️