From Michel Reavis: Giving Thanks for the Mask

Thursday, October 8, 2020

Like many, I am really enjoying the articles written by fellow parishioners, and I love reading the General Thanksgiving prayer at the end. It is a great reminder that we all have an abundance of blessings to celebrate. I am a firm believer in the saying, “whatever we appreciate appreciates.”

It is easy to recognize things to be thankful for when we are doing well. It is also easy to be appreciative of the things that bring us joy and fulfillment. But sometimes we find ourselves in some pretty challenging circumstances where everything we are used to is turned upside-down, and it is difficult to find the silver lining or the gift of the situation. 

During this COVID season, I found myself being thankful for things I normally took for granted, such as laptop chargers (we are Zooming daily, even multiple times a day in our household) and toilet paper (who knew that would be the hottest, most sought after item earlier this year).

However, there was one thing that I really struggled to be thankful for - the mask. I logically and intellectually agreed and understood how important it was to wear our mask. I complied, always wearing my mask, and I tried to like it and not let it bother me, but honestly, I still found it difficult.

I am happy to say it all finally changed. A friend of mine wrote a book, and we gathered online to celebrate. Another friend shared that he had a revelation about masks. He said that when we wear our mask it forces us to talk less and listen more, because the mask covers our mouth and the straps pull our ears forward. This made me laugh, because I immediately thought of politics and current events. I also realized that people who are soft-spoken are learning to speak up and strengthen their voice, because often times it is not easy to understand what someone is saying when they wear their mask. Then I remembered how much I love the way my mask smells of incense after mass, and when I put it on the next day it still smells like church, and I immediately smile and feel good.

This lesson reminded me of 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 

It was amazing how in a moment, one little comment changed my whole outlook on something that I rejected for months. I was able to find one thing about the mask to give thanks for and appreciate, and then it snowballed into three. Whatever we appreciate really does appreciate!

Pandemic blessings can be best summed up by the upside-down smiley face emoji. That emoji used to confuse me, but now I think of it as a representation of something I didn’t see coming, but I’m going to do my best to just roll with it and learn to appreciate it. Couldn’t we say the same thing about the cross? These pandemic blessings are like the cross, upside down smiles.

May the things you love and cherish continue to grow, and may you also discover surprising and delightful new ones during these times.

🙃

Michel Ai Reavis, Senior Warden

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, 
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks 
for all your goodness and loving-kindness 
to us and to all whom you have made. 
We bless you for our creation, preservation, 
and all the blessings of this life; 
but above all for your immeasurable love 
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; 
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. 
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, 
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, 
not only with our lips, but in our lives, 
by giving up our selves to your service, 
and by walking before you 
in holiness and righteousness all our days; 
through Jesus Christ our Lord, 
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, 
be honor and glory throughout all ages.
Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer (pp. 101 and 125)