In response to the invitation by 
Trudie was so happy – at last, after a year of hoping and praying and waiting and praying some more, Tubman Memorial Baptist Church reopened. Covid protocols and all, the day of the first service in a year was at last at hand.
Trudie was a greeter, and although her mother worried about her being in direct contact with so many members of the public who might or might not still be paying attention to the need for social distancing and masking when they arrived, Trudie was too excited to be worried. So were the majority of the people she greeted – members old and new, guests from other churches frustrated with online and telephone services, all excited about at last being able to come to service. The energy was infectious and the praise was full of joy.
However, Trudie noticed that her fellow greeter, Danielle, did not seem quite as excited.
It could have been that Danielle was tired. She was an administrative nurse and worked six days a week: five days at General Hospital, one day at the community clinic, helping people understand Covid and vaccination and nutrition to build immunity no matter their vaccination status. The year had clearly aged Danielle – her once salt and pepper hair was now silver with flecks of black.
Yet Danielle's greetings and guidance to each guest were full of her usual love and care; only in the quiet moments could Trudie see that Danielle was somewhat distracted.
“Danielle, do you need relief – we've got some backup greeters,” Trudie said.
Danielle's smile was as sweet as the late spring sun.
“Oh, Trudie, bless your heart and thank you – I'm not so much tired as I am concerned.”
“It is kind of nerve-wracking … all these people together, but we just have to trust the Lord.”
“That's true, and we've taken all the necessary precautions. That's not even what I'm concerned about. Listen, Trudie. What do you hear?”
“The service is thumping today!” Trudie said. “Just like our best days of the past!”
“That's what has me worried,” Danielle said. “If we have been through a year like we have been through, and we haven't changed in some real ways for the better, we will have wasted the year. This building has been empty and most of the people in it have not been in this community all this time. The community is suffering tremendously. The Lord wants the people of this community touched with His saving love and grace – when we speak of service in worship to Him, that's what He wants.”
“But we can do both!” Trudie said.
“Yes, we can – but, will we?”
Trudie found herself suddenly struck with the thought: when the music and preaching and praising stopped, what would happen next?
