Super Spreader
by Laura Grover
In this age of pandemic, we have developed a whole new vocabulary. Unfortunately, words and phrases like “quarantine,” “positivity rate,” and “social distancing” have become all too familiar. One of these new phrases, “super spreader,” is defined by Wikipedia as “an unusually contagious organism infected with a disease” – which reminds me of a hilarious story! My friends were attending a funeral. Liz, a nurse, told her hubby they would be wearing masks. Tim was perplexed and said, “But we’ve been vaccinated.” Liz explained that people would be “crying and snotting” and passing lots of germs. Tim tried again, “We don’t wear masks at church.” Liz calmly replied, “True, but we don’t hug everybody at church like at a funeral.” Tim tried one last time, “But I hug Vickie at church…and Vickie hugs EVERYONE!” Suffice it to say, Tim wore the mask.
Now, Vickie is the sweetest and most generous person you’d ever want to meet…and she is hands down the best hugger ever! Getting a hug from Vickie is like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket on a cold winter night – it’s warm, safe, and comforting! It’s like her gift…and she’s a big giver…to any and all. Since this comment by Tim, I’ve begun to introduce Vickie as my friend, “the super spreader.” I, of course, am joking, and everyone gets the joke because they themselves have been recipients of Vickie’s precious hugs.
Recently, I’ve started thinking more deeply about this super spreader idea and here’s the thing: I want to be a super spreader. I want to infect everyone around me. Not with COVID, but with the love and light of Jesus. Oftentimes, I feel like I’m spiritually asymptomatic. I wonder if I’m spreading the Jesus “virus” by making a difference in my church or community. Am I hiding my light under a mask (Matthew 5:15)? Where’s the big evidence?
I think that wives of elders and pastors, as well as women serving in ministry, sometimes ask these questions more often than other Christ followers. We get caught up in comparing our ministry, our service, or our lives with those of fellow leaders, or even our spouses. And we find ourselves wanting. I have jokingly blamed my pastor husband for my self-doubts. “When you live with someone who is daily teaching others, praying with the sick, counseling the broken…well, no wonder I doubt my worth in the kingdom of God. All I’ve done is changed lots of diapers and cooked lots of meals.” And while I say it with a grin, the discouragement and doubting are far from humorous.
Over the years, when I’ve compared his “big” things for God with my seemingly insignificant ones, I’ve had some intense battles with the enemy wondering whether I’m even “infected.” And I’m the pastor’s wife, for crying out loud!! My mind keeps coming back to the words “seemingly insignificant.” We live in a culture where bigger is better, and I’ve allowed that to dictate how I see my own (small) actions. How has the Enemy managed to deceive me (and perhaps you)? When we take a meal to a sick friend, visit an aging neighbor, pray for our children, disciple the next generation - these may not be dramatic deeds, but more like tiny seeds dropped along the way. But with God, these small actions have big implications. When done with the love and help of a loving Father, they are multiplied more than we could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20)!!
Perhaps, in the moment, we can’t see the significance of our small deeds of love. That’s probably a good thing, because it’s not about us. It’s about bringing glory to our Father in all that we do and say (Colossians 3:17). In fact, here’s the key: It’s not the deed, large or small. It’s the person for whom it’s done! And at the end of the day, Jesus tells us that what we’ve done for others, we’ve actually done for Him (Matthew 25:40)! And remember, what we share with others goes on to be shared by them.
According to the CDC, the SARS2 coronavirus spreads quickly and easily through severe cases or mild ones. It’s all about the contact…and their contacts. So, here’s my encouragement for you: “sneeze” kindness on your neighbor! “Cough” light at work! Spread “God germs” on everyone and everything in your path, and watch how God, very quietly perhaps, grows an epidemic of love all around you!
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“Do not despise these small beginnings, for [Yahweh] rejoices to see the work begin…” Zechariah 4:10, NLT
“Don’t look for big things, just do small things with great love. … The smaller the thing, the greater must be our love.”
-Mother Teresa in Mother Teresa: Come be my Light by Brian Kolodiejchuk
