Mask On

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Oxygen and the air pressure are always being monitored. In the event of decompression, an oxygen mask will automatically appear in front of you. To start the flow of oxygen, pull the mask towards you. Place it firmly over your nose and mouth, secure the elastic band behind your head, and breathe normally. Although the bag does not inflate, oxygen is flowing to the mask. If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask first, and then assist the other person. Keep your mask on until a uniformed crew member advises you to remove it.

How often have you heard the script above? Some of us have heard this inflight, pre-departure message so frequently we tune it out. But in addition to providing necessary safety information for our flight, this message provides some essential safety information for our lives. 

 If you are travelling with a child or someone who requires assistance, secure your mask on first, and then assist the other person.

I attended a webinar a few weeks ago and another attendee asked how we can best serve our communities during the ongoing injustices and the pandemic. One speaker responded, “Put your mask on first.” What poignant advice! As we go about our days seeking ways to serve, support those we love, pray alongside those experiencing extra turbulent times, we must remember to put our masks on first.

For me, this looks like an early morning devotion to start my day off grounded in the word of God. For some, this may include playing worship music, a recorded sermon, or a podcast as you prepare for work. I have several friends who use their early a.m. workouts as a way to jump start their mornings. And others who prefer an easy start with a cup of coffee and stillness at the beginning of the day. 

As the weather has cooled during our transition to fall, I’ve taken a liking to mid afternoon walks just to stretch my legs, give me a break from the screen and get some fresh air. Every evening I watch a replay of a favorite comedy series as a mini treat for a job well-done throughout my work day and an intentional cultivation of laughter. On Fridays, I order take-out or make a special meal. On Sundays I worship and I rest. 

A colleague-friend and I get together once every few weeks for some much-needed catch-up time and a walk. I keep an active stack of books for evening reading and I write nearly every day of the week, in my journal, for an academic publication, or for freelance projects. These activities may seem minor, but they have become essential to my “pandemic life” and an intentional effort to put my mask on first. These activities may seem minor, but they are indulgences I took for granted before the pandemic. These activities may seem minor, but they’ve kept my heart relatively healthy and my mind reasonably focused during all that has happened over these last seven months. 

Perhaps, before we make that phone call or send that text; before we coordinate that event or attend that function; before we start that prayer or lead that song, we can ensure we’ve done all we can to … put our mask on first. I believe this helps us show up in community not as flawless humans, but as healing believers investing in caring for ourselves so we can be of greater use to God.