The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted just about every aspect of our lives: our goings and comings; our relationships, how we shop, worship, and even lay our loved ones to rest. It has wreaked havoc on the old taking many to a premature death. Amidst all of the horror it has caused, I’d like to highlight one bright spot – how people are taking time to consistently give thanks, and to express grateful to others for the big, and the small things.

From clanging stainless-steel pots at set times to honour medical staff, to making elaborate chalk art in parking lots for grocery store workers, to world leaders taking time out to hold daily briefings to update their citizens on the state of things. We have shown that we are social creatures who are linked by the bond of humanity. Truly, we are “made of one blood” (Acts 17:26, NKJV).

I don’t recall when I’ve ever gotten as many ‘thank-you’ messages. I open my email accounts and my business contacts – bank, grocery and clothing store, and various retail managers are thanking me for my business, and assuring me that we will get through this together. I’m amazed at how there is so much gratitude and kindness. By the way thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. It feels good and I’m getting used to it.

Every day, we’re seeing countless examples of homemade cookies, freshly picked flowers, and thoughtful notes delivered to grocery stores and hospitals across the country. I’ve also heard of First Responders parading through supermarket parking lots with lights and sirens wailing in appreciation for their colleagues; of random strangers making impromptu deliveries of food and snacks to doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other health care workers accompanied with a kind note.

However, as many of us reach the start of our ninth week self-isolating at home, and practicing physical distancing when we are out, I’m beginning to feel nervous about what it will be like when we can all head outside, and physically interact without fear and masks.  Every day when I wake up in the morning, I ask myself whether this gratitude stuff that has become rather commonplace will continue when things get back to ‘normal, whatever that would look like. Will we continue to let our good natures prevail? Or will we revert to how things were – rushing to get ahead, and knocking others down in the process?

I’m certainly hopeful that we will seize the moment to continue to give thanks, not just to friends and family but to God who has kept us, and to others – especially those whom we’ve now come to acknowledge as essential to our lives. So, let’s keep our hearts unlocked. Let’s resist the urge to be short-tempered and self-centered. Let’s keep being grateful. It’s one amazing thing that the Coronavirus has done for all of us.