“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Each morning, Greg Dailey wakes up at 4 a.m. to do the job that he has been doing for the past 25 years. He delivers newspapers. Greg delivers the paper before he opens his frame shop in his small New Jersey community. Greg has been delivering papers and making frames for his community for many years, that is until COVID-19 arrived.
When New Jersey issued their stay-at-home orders, Greg was forced to close his shop. Fortunately, he was still allowed to deliver the paper. One morning, while on his route, he realized that one of his customers needed to have the paper closer to the door because of her mobility issues. Greg thought to himself, if she cannot walk to get the paper, how is she getting the things she needs from the store? He asked her if she needed him to pick anything up from the store and she gratefully said, “Yes.” She also asked Greg if he could pick up something for her neighbor. Greg agreed.
Greg began to wonder how many others on his route needed help. The next day, he placed a note in the paper that offered to help anyone who could not go the store. Before long, Greg, his wife, and his daughter were spending their entire day making grocery deliveries. In the past 12 weeks, Greg and his family have made over 500 deliveries. They have filled their time by filling other’s needs.
COVID-19 changed a great many things. Businesses were shut down, schools were closed, and almost the entire world was asked to shelter-in-place. Each of our lives were interrupted. Regardless of how things have changed, our new normal still includes our call, as a people of faith, to be kind and care for our neighbors. When Greg realized the people in his neighborhood needed help, he responded. Although our lives have changed in many ways, one thing remains; we are called to love our neighbors, no exceptions.
Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
