Today I remembered this picture. I remember as a child, I could not find the younger lady. All I could see was the older lady. But I had friends who did not believe there was an older lady. All they could see was the younger lady. I remember wondering how that can be; the same picture is seen so differently through different eyes?
Then as I got older, I was able to identify both images. I am unsure if my mind matured or my eyes could discern more critically as I got older. I found it impossible to imagine another possibility until I could see it for myself.
I find this image similar to how I am experiencing the response to COVID by those around me. I hear some perspective that if you are cautious or heeding our governor’s directions, you are falling victim to fear and not faith. Some people fully support the restrictions in place, believing that the precautions/restrictions have been very beneficial. Some refer to our State leadership in ways that villainize them. Some people would nominate our leadership for recognition and praise at every turn.
How can the same situation have such extreme differences in how they are perceived?
I can envision faces with each sentence I write. I know and believe all the people are faith believing people. I am not clear why some can see the old lady and some can see the young lady. I am not sure why some people honor the restrictions, and others feel tormented by them. I can only pray that we are doing our best to come together to respect the differences. May we not be a people who bicker and fight and cause division. (That reminds me of the Israelites) May we not be people who spend more energy judging others but instead promoting respectful disagreement and honoring varying perspectives.
This pandemic is more than a blip on the screen. It has had a significant impact on so many lives in a variety of ways. May we ensure the story we are weaving throughout the pandemic chapters shares the powerful impact of faith believing people.
May faith, hope, and love abound in us and through us all!