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Good morning. Largely thanks to the internet, during the lockdown I’ve been able to keep in regular touch with family and a lot of friends.  It’s been hugely comforting and strengthening just having someone there to complain to, to share bits of news - my slowly improving bread making skills for example, and sometimes just to have a natter.   

I’m ashamed to say that in the past, I’ve rather taken it for granted that there’ll normally be somebody there if I want to talk.   Well I hope I’ve learnt over the last few months just how lucky I am.

And thinking about that has made me realise something else too.

For me and people like me the lockdown has been inconvenient and frustrating. There are things I’ve missed doing outside the house and people I’ve missed seeing. Getting back to normal will be wonderful.

But I’ve come to realise that there are an awful lot of people who never have anyone to talk to.  An isolated, one-day-much-like-another existence is what normal life is always like. 

A terrific amount of great work has been done – and is still going on - getting supplies, or medical services delivered to isolated people. But I have heard of another, equally powerful service – all sorts of groups, from football teams to voluntary and religious groups, have set themselves the task of just contacting people for a chat.  The response has been amazing.  And maybe one lesson for all of us from the pandemic is a reminder of the extraordinary power of being asked how you’re doing by someone who actually wants to know and stays to listen.

Father, as we look forward to the end of lockdown and getting back to normal, help us to hang onto the lessons we’ve learnt, especially about how loving and serving our neighbour is often as simple as making time to talk and listen to them.  Amen