As we all know by now, we are urged (and in many places, required) to wear masks in public in order to protect others as well as ourselves from COVID 19 (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html). Is this a huge adjustment for us?  Yes!  Are they uncomfortable…especially on hot and humid days?  You bet!  But I wear one when I’m in public and here are 5 lessons I’ve learned (so far) from my face mask:

1. Put the Needs of Others Before Ourselves.

“…in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”  Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

We now know that wearing a mask in public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible is more for the health and safety of those around us than it is for ourselves.  When we are in public, we are surrounded by people we don’t know.  We don’t know if they are immunocompromised or caring for someone who is.  We don’t know if they are a healthcare worker or are employed in the service industry.  There is so much that we don’t know about one another, and we don’t have to.  All we have to remember is that we are all human, all susceptible to COVID 19, and all doing the best we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. 

By wearing a mask in public, I extend my circle of care and concern to those around me.  It is not about me.  It is about ALL of us.  And we are ALL called to love our neighbor as ourselves, to put the care and concern for others above our own, and to care for ALL those with whom we are sharing this world. 

2. Listen More.  Talk Less.

“take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” James 1:19 (NIV)

I will admit, I struggle with speaking while wearing a mask.  I have not yet mastered how to breathe in without sucking the mask into my mouth.  And quite honestly, sometimes it’s just easier to be quiet or at least limit what I’m going to say.  And in doing so, I’ve been reminded that listening is an underused and underrated skill.  There is true power in listening to another person and having that person know that they’ve been heard.  Connections are made when we feel we are seen and heard and known.  And those connections only happen when we intentionally pause and create the space to listen. 

3. Being Uncomfortable is (Sometimes) Good.

Wearing a mask in public has pushed me way out of my comfort zone.  It is not something that I’m used to and in the beginning, wearing a mask made me feel self-conscience…like a big spot light shining right on me.  But, in order to go out in public, to get groceries, to deliver things to friends, to do life, I had to wear a mask.  I could not avoid the discomfort…I was forced out of my comfort zone.  And as a result, I have become more comfortable in my own skin/my own mask.

4. You be You.

”I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

We are made in the image of God AND we are all individually, magnificently unique.  And I have seen that individuality play out in regards to facial coverings.  I have seen almost every kind of mask out there.  From the blue paper ones, to bandanas, to medical grade N-95 masks, to basic black, to animal faces, to masks in support of different teams, organizations and social causes, there are as many types of masks as there are people to wear them.  We are not hidden by our masks.  Rather, our masks are one more way that we can express our individuality.  One more way to shine as the unique and beautiful person God made you to be!

5. We Are All Connected.

We are in the middle of a pandemic and face masks serve as a physical sign that we have this shared commonality.  Regardless of everything else going in our lives, we were and are all adjusting to the effects of COVID 19 on our lives.  Admittedly, Coronavirus has impacted, and will continue to impact, each of us in different, personal ways. And while I may not know how you have been personally affected by the pandemic, your mask serves as a reminder that we are facing these unknowns together.  The visual cue of your mask reminds me that we share, at the very least, this one concern.   And when I see you wearing your mask, it shows me that we have yet another thing in common:  caring about those around us and putting the needs of other’s first.

Bonus Lesson

DO NOT put a mint in your mouth right before putting your mask on.  If you’ve done this, then you know how badly your eyes will burn.  If you haven’t made this misstep yet, DON’T DO IT! (this applies to super minty gum too!)

What other lessons is your face mask teaching you?

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