Post-Pandemic Re-entry

Take time to look back while looking ahead.

by Lisa Elliott

Iwas in the line for the outdoor garden center with my daughter, awaiting my turn to enter. There were others in the line, all wearing masks and keeping their social distance. As we stood there, “together-apart,” a scene unfolded before all of our eyes. It involved three cars in the parking lot. Each car maneuvered around the other, taking turns to do-si-do. Two of the cars ended up not keeping their social distance in the commotion that ensued and, their side mirrors collided.

We all stood and stared in disbelief. However, I was the only one who apparently couldn’t refrain from speaking my thoughts aloud. A few laughed with my unfiltered commentary. Others likely hoped that this line could progress a little more quickly, so they didn’t have to listen, as I freely expressed my thoughts. As much as they would deny it, I knew they were thinking them, too, but they would never let on.

When my daughter and I eventually made our purchase, got into our own car, and pulled out of the parking lot, she said, “Mom, I think we’re going to need to socialize you again before we let you out in public.” We laughed the rest of the way home. There’s some truth to what she said.

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What Will Re-entry Look Like?

I haven’t been “let loose” since we’ve been in this pandemic. I have kept to myself, not even going to the grocery store unless absolutely necessary. Even then, I have attempted to get in and out as quickly as possible. I haven’t seen or engaged with anyone outside of my household for months. Aside from the news, that I sometimes avoid, I’ve lost touch with the outside world.

Now that things have opened up more and I’ve been let out into the public again, I’ve experienced what many of you may be experiencing, too. I’ve had to allow myself some space and time in order to re-adapt as I’ve re-entered. How are you adapting as you’re getting out in the public again?

Different Approaches to Re-entry

For some of us, there may be some fear or anxiety. Others may still be apprehensive to engage in social activities too quickly, while others are ready and raring to go. Most of us have forgotten what our friends look like apart from a mask. Many of us have fallen into a routine of sorts. What once was abnormal has become our normal.

I’ve heard some say that things will be much different upon re-entry. As much as I’d like to believe it, I’ve seen enough of our sinful human nature splayed out across the headlines. Nothing has changed. In fact, things might get worse before they get better.

The Pressure Will Be On If your re-entry has been anything like mine, you’ve found the pace of life, that we were all thankful to get away from, has caught right up with you again. Expectations have become greater for those who are in the public spotlight to perform greater, do more, and amp up. Ministry and businesses will work more intensely to re-engage those who have gone astray and taken their business elsewhere. Emotions like frustration, irritation, and anger that have been stifled will be unleashed. Pressure will be on to initiate, engage, satisfy, and appease others, as we continue to move out of our state of seclusion. Look Back to Look Ahead This reminds me of the children of Israel—who said G they’d never forget—yet they quickly forgot. Hence, why Moses gave this pre-entry speech:

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your fathers, as it is today” (Deut. 8:10-19).

…it's healthy to look back in order to move forward in a healthy way. Otherwise, like the Israelites, we, too, forget.

I keep in mind that the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. Therefore, it’s important to take time as we look ahead, to look back. We need to ask ourselves some questions like:

• What lessons have I learned that I don’t want to forget? • What has become “essential” to my life, my health, my emotional and mental well-being? • What relationships have deepened and become more meaningful because of my focused concern? • What have I recognized about myself that I wasn’t aware of before? • What routines do I want to continue as I’m able to get out again?

These are all questions I’m considering in my reentry. Because one of the things I’ve learned is that it’s healthy to look back in order to move forward in a healthy way. Otherwise, like the Israelites, we, too, forget.

Make a Fresh Start

How’s re-entry gone for you so far? Have your expectations been met? Did you even know what to expect? Have you taken precautions? Have you bolted through the gate, or been slow to re-engage? Who did you connect with first? How have you spent your time?

This is an opportunity for a fresh start. The clean canvas awaits you! But, before you get going, why not take some time to pause and reflect on where you’ve been.

Lisa Elliott is a gifted speaker and award-winning author of The Ben Ripple and Dancing in the Rain. Her passion is sharing God’s Word, straight from the heart. She and her pastor-husband, David, live in Ottawa, Canada. They have four adult children (three on earth and one in heaven), a son and daughter-inlaw and four grandchildren. Contact Lisa at lisakelliott22@gmail.com or follow her on Facebook: LisaElliott-StraightfromtheHeart.