Trapped Places and Friendly Faces

Trapped and frustrated– two words that I don't frequently use but have often when someone asks how I'm feeling lately.

Honestly, my biggest struggle has been feeling disconnected from people in need. I've seen people that I deeply care about endure the loss of loved ones, peers face job loss, medical professional or first responder friends answer the stressful call to enter into ground zero of a pandemic.

I'm wrestling with the tension that I'm, in fact, not the end-all-be-all solution to anyone's challenges or problems; but, they are real and my presence is far better than just thoughts and prayers via a virtual screen. I just want to hug you all.

I suppose with this ample amounts of free time that I have, I find myself thanking God for technology. It also brings me joy knowing that there is a redemptive, wholesome purity of social media. I know it often gets a bad rap from many. And I've seen the internet at its worst. But I've always known that social has great potential in bringing people together. This photo alone reminds me of that fact.

I came back to this photo because it brings me back to the good ol' days where we can be closer than 6' to other humans. But it's also a snapshot of one of my favorite things, becoming real life friends with Instagram friends.

Just this past January, @linnealocsin and her mom met up with my two friends and me in Nashville. Linnea lives in SF and I in Chicago. She was in town for a marketing conference and I for a worship leader conference. In fact, we initially connected on-the-line from a shared passion for worship music. This meetup in Nashville was a pure divine encounter and it brought my friends and I much joy sharing a meal and half a day's worth of conversation about Jesus and His church.

I guess I write this to say, that if we're only friends on IG and haven't met in person yet to share a cup of coffee, rest assured, when this quarantine is over, I'm on a mission to change that. I'll even throw in a free hug!

But also, friends, we will get through this. I know these times are unknown and anxiety-ridden. You are not alone. And if you feel like you are, reach out to me!