A Prayer a Day:Good day, Lord. Sitting on this back porch, watching the bird fly into the Purple Martin house, I must report, the birds are not practicing social distancing. I have seen about twenty birds go into that house, and I have seen no birds leave.This whole social distancing or some call it physical distancing is a terrific challenge and hardship for some. There is a wide disparity of affect, depending on a number of factors, including how many people live at your house. One church member, with a very large family, told me they laughed about who would leave to get their numbers down to ten. A number of church members are single and getting pretty tired of the isolation, of not getting out or having friends and family in. I suppose one’s level of suffering, with physical distancing, depends on how well you enjoy time alone or how well you can tolerate only spending time with one other person. Lord, we know you make us social beings. Most of us enjoy seeing, talking to, and giving a hug to our special friends and family. I know there are folks, who are happy to never hug anyone again, but I am not that person. I am a hugger. Sometimes a big hug can communicate encouragement, affection, and friendship better than a long speech. Lord, you know that there are a number of scriptures dealing with not the subject of hugging, but with kissing: five texts instruct us to greet each other with a holy kiss. I remember the father ran out to embrace and kiss the prodigal son, when he returned home. I remember Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the garden. Well, Lord, regardless of the Biblical basis for the practice of embracing or giving a holy kiss, those actions are definitely off limits for the near future. Heavenly Father, help us find new ways to reach out in love without touching. Help us to make that call to those we know are alone and perhaps lonely. Help us remember, what holds us together, as a community, is not hugs or kisses, but you, Lord. It is you, Holy God, who knit us together in one body. Help us show your love and grace. Come Holy Spirit and make it so: amen.