It is a known fact that people like hugging pastors. This becomes tricky business when you are a pastor that is sick. I learned that all too well this past Sunday.
Not wanting to spread the plague that has infected me over the past few days, I try to keep my distance from handshakers and huggers. When people wanted to greet me, I bumped elbows (it has been scientifically proven that germs cannot be spread through elbow bumping) or did some other goofy gesture that showed my delight at seeing someone in manner that kept the germs to myself.
Sometimes though, germ sharing simply cannot be avoided. Sometimes people sneak up on you and take a hug. Before you even realize what has happened, your arms are around another person. You release your grip, fearing only the worst for the person you hugged as you are too embarrassed to warn them of the fate that surely will befall them.
Sometimes I get caught up in the excitement of greeting someone. I stick out my hand to shake their hand (usually a dude because it always feels awkward to give a woman a handshake. Am I alone in this?) and then as the person reaches out to grasp my hand I remember I am sick. It's too late to retract my hand, that would be awkward and rude. Sure enough they make contact, grasping my disease ridden hand. I give them a smile, but internally I cry, knowing I have just sent an innocent person to the grave.
But what if I see someone at church that I truly despise? Well I do what the Bible tells me to do. I follow Romans 16:16 and greet them with a kiss!
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