Has it been a year already?  In some ways it seems like yesterday.  But, when I think about it, sometimes it seems as if it’s been just about forever.  A year ago we were trying to figure out this new coronavirus, and so much had to be shut down while we stepped back, scratched our heads, and scoured the written and broadcast mediums for some reliable information and direction.  Well, we’ve come a long way since a year ago, and we’ve learned a lot.  We seem to have made progress, but how much progress seems to depend on to whom you’re talking.  There are still some differences of opinion on some things, but here’s one thing I’m sure of.  I’m glad we’ve been able to get back into church and stay that way.  Yes, we shut down for a couple of months when it all started, and we limited a lot of things when we did begin meeting again, but over time we’ve grown back into a regular schedule and continue to move forward with ongoing precautions in place.  I guess I’m writing all this to say I’m glad to see our church climbing back out of the COVID hole.  And I appreciate those who are happily back and serving.  And I pray for those who want to be but are not able to come back yet.  And I grieve for those who could be back but continue to find excuses to not be in church.  Not in church for an entire year.  Think about that.  Definitely not good for one’s spiritual life and walk with God, because the longer the absence, the easier it is to stay absent.  If you are a part of a Bible-preaching church family and are out and about to work, school, and almost everything else, don’t you think it’s time to get back to your church, too?  Isn’t it time to drop the excuses and say with Psalm 122:1, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord”?  And if Berean is your church family, or if you don’t have a church family around here, I hope to see you soon!