Let me begin this post with a heartfelt thank you to each of my readers. I can’t believe it, but I am approaching my first anniversary of blogging in two days. On April 30, 2019, I released my first post with the help of God. At that time, I said I would post until… I didn’t know how much I would be able to write about relationships, but the journey continued. Here I am today grateful for your encouragement and support. I pray that you have been encouraged, enlightened, and strengthened through the reading of my posts. Your comments and words of support have truly blessed me.Well, with that said, let’s move to our topic.
During this pandemic, we need to practice social distancing to slow the spread of the virus. In a past post, I talked about us sheltering in place with family twenty-four hours and some of the effects of this new normal. Today, I want to focus on couples who are not married and living in different households. These couples are now unable to spend face to face quality time with each other. Some relationships are seasoned, and some may be new, and in the early stages of dating. There is an old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but this absence by social distancing may continue for an extended period. So how do couples cope, remain safe, and continue to strengthen the partnership? How do you avoid loneliness, which sometimes leads to depression?
In some cases, individuals have lost their jobs, which is stressful enough. Add worry about contracting a disease that can either kill you or loved ones who are vulnerable, on top of that. Don’t mention the lack of essential items due to bare store shelves. And God forbid you were experiencing problems before the onset of the pandemic. And the list of craziness goes on. So how do you nurture your relationship? How do you extend affection at a distance? How do you maintain an open relationship with closed doors? I would love feedback from readers, especially those who have a significant other, but also from those with thoughts concerning this matter.
I want to share a few ideas, and please give me your thoughts. At present, I do not have a significant other, but if I did, I would make a point of us speaking to each other daily as we would have probably been doing before the pandemic entered our lives. I would listen carefully to the concerns that the person may have and give as much moral support as I could. I love cards and have an array of Hallmark caring cards. I would send a card once a week or as often as possible to express some of my caring, and maybe it would put a smile on their face. If you don’t have stamps and don’t want to make a trip to the post office, you can order stamps online. I ordered stamps (even though I have some) the day that I wrote this post. No cards- send a love note. Also, though my hair would probably be looking a mess as it does now (I genuinely need a touch-up ), we would facetime or zoom so that we could see one another. And as often as we could, we would do drive-bys (staying in the car) to be able to lay eyes on each other at a distance physically. Seeing someone in person helps you to see how they are doing and can lessen the loneliness. I wouldn’t forget the goodness and faithfulness of our God, and I am sure we would end a lot of conversations with prayer.
Last but not least, I would often say, “I love you,” if I was in love with the person, or at least make them feel my caring. In this day and time, we ought to tell our loved ones every day that we love them. We never know what the next day holds. I have said enough, what are your thoughts, or what are you doing if you are in a social distancing relationship? Let’s pray continuously that God’s mercy will allow us to experience some normalcy soon, but until such time keep all connections nurtured, caring, and supportive. Let’s ensure that our heart doesn’t feel too much of the absence. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalms 73:26. I’ll be back next week with a new post, “The New Loneliness!”
Be encouraged, and God bless!
Sister Jackie
Congratulations on your blog’s 1 year anniversary! I have enjoyed your weekly words of encouragement.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read each post. Your encouragement is appreciated. May God’s continued blessings flow in your life!
Happy Anniversary Jackie
I have been truly enlightened and blessed by your blog and the comments of others.
May God continue to give you the wisdom and strength to continue sharing words of hope and promise.
Thanks
Thank you so much for the encouragement and for taking the time each week to read each post. Your words of wisdom have blessed me abundantly throughout the year of my blogging. May God’s abundant blessings overtake you!
Sis Jackie,
Blessings and congratulations on completing a successful 1st anniversary of blogging.
Your “calling to blog” was GOD- Inspired, GOD- Driven, and GOD-Intended! Very well done my sister and thank you for taking time to address and respond to relationship issues that aren’t always easy to discuss.
Love you.
Wow! Powerful “God” words. Thank you so much, my sister, for all of the encouragement and support throughout this past year. Every word and thought has uplifted me. Just today, before reading your comments, I was asking God why me? Why was my life’s journey headed in this direction? Just like God, He always provides an answer. Your words spoke directly to my heart. Thank you. May God shelter you in His care and under His protective hand. God bless you.
Congratulations Ms. Jackie on your first year of blogging. It has been a blessing to me.
The pandemic has definitely made my considerably new relationship interesting. We have learned to strengthen our communication with one another and become creative with “dates.” One of the positives that came out of this situation is that our faith as a couple has grown by praying together. Although, the pandemic has put somewhat of a “strain” on our relationship because of certain limitations. The pandemic has been a blessing in disguise. We have grown together mentally and spiritually and feel better equipped to handle the “pandemics” in our lives together.
Thank you for your support throughout my first year of blogging. It is very much appreciated. Lovely comments about how you and your significant other are making substantial gains in your relationship. I love your summation statement-“We have grown together mentally and spiritually and feel better equipped to handle the “pandemics” in our lives together.” Stay encouraged, keep praying, and this too shall pass! May the joy of the Lord be your strength. God bless you!
Wow! A whole year! How did I miss this! Congratulations on your first year and may God bless you with many more years of sharing your wisdom with us! Love you!
Thank you for all of your love and support during this journey! Bless you and God’s loving grace upon your life!