The fines levied on those who have broken self-isolation recently have been eye-watering - thousands of pounds per offence. We are thankful to our neighbours and the wonderful fellowship at Vazon Church for the meeting of all our needs so that we have been able to stay locked away, but are really looking forward to being free in a few days if our test is negative.
Guernsey has taken the pandemic very seriously, as our police visit shows, and have, so far, been successful in keeping levels of infection very low (just one person at present). There is a price to pay though. Apart from the period of house arrest that returning travellers or visitors must endure, there is the sense of being cut off from the rest of the world. Families are forced to remain apart. We long for that freedom to return, though we accept that sacrifices must be made in the short term.
Thankfully, the word of God is not bound and prayer knows no borders. We can link up with folk in every nation to seek God's blessing and peace for them where they are. Dear friends battling Covid 19 infections in the UK, churches forced to close their buildings and shut down singing and much of their youth and children's work, pastors and their families facing destitution and even prison in countries where their faith puts them at the back of the queue for assistance. No, we may be stuck in but we are most certainly not stuck. There is a vital work to do, no matter how restricted our circumstances.
And how about you? If chronic illness or pain are keeping you away from others, or infection or the fear of infection limiting your ability to socialise, let this be a season of waiting on God. We will meet again, as Her Majesty famously said, but till then, remember the words of the hymn-writer Oswald Allen (1816-1878):
'When all things seem against us,
To drive us to despair,
We know one gate is open,
One ear will hear our prayer'.
