A city’s gradual emergence from the coronavirus shut down corresponds to a certain atmosphere in its airport. My husband and I took off our masks just long enough to eat subs at a socially distant table, and then, our masks back in place, we settled ourselves near Gate A-3 to wait out the remainder of a three-hour layover in Baltimore.
A pair of uniformed airline employees on their lunch break caught my eye. She, brown-eyed and animated; he, somber and attentive; it soon became obvious this was no business lunch. Their masked interaction at the corner of my eye distracted me from the book I was trying to read.
“What in the world,” I wondered, “would it be like to date with mandatory masking? Has Cosmo addressed this in an article yet?” I smiled beneath my own mask as I invented titles and tag lines: “COVID-19 Mask Moves: Let Him Know You’re Interested!”
Drawn again to their soft laughter, I looked up just in time to see the young woman lower her mask, unveiling the full radiance of her dazzling smile. It seemed so intimate a gesture.
I turned back to my book.
In the spring of 2020, we have all been masked and hidden. Perhaps, in all our safe separation and invisibility, we have forgotten that there is One who sees all, and before Him, we are free to come with unveiled faces.
I’m writing over at (in)courage today about the beauty of an unveiled life before God. It would be a great gift if you’d join me there and add your thoughts and your concerns. How can we pray for you specifically so that the brightness of God’s glory may be put on display in your home and community?
Leaning into the risk of an unveiled life,

By the way, a visit to (in)courage has been part of my morning routine for years, because it’s a place where I consistently find biblical encouragement in a voice that sounds like grace. If that sounds good to you, too, go ahead and click here to subscribe so you can begin to receive regular email reminders that the door is always open there.
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Photo of Masks by Afif Kusuma on Unsplash
Dating was hard enough without masks. I can’t imagine it with masks. I find I miss miss so many non verbals with the masks on.
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We’re all strugging I think, and YES! I can’t imagine getting to know someone well with half my face covered. There will be stories, I”m sure!
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Thanks for the incourage link….I just subscribed and look forward to another good word in the mornings:)
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Good to hear! I know you’ll be blessed, Jennifer!
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SS ♥ MM
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Thanks for this narration. Here in my part of New Zealand (and probably all) we are pretty much past the virus, so the masks and the problems they could present are just a bit foreign to me.
It’s great to see you at ‘My Corner of the World this week! Thanks for linking up with us.
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Thanks for the welcome!
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Found you over at Betty’s blog – and have now subscribed. As Betty mentioned, we are living a pretty normal life here in New Zealand – for which I am thankful to God!
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine
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Thanks for subscribing!
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I’m in the Houston area, so it’s going to be a long time before we can go without masks and stop physically distancing. I love this reminder to not let our spiritual lives mirror the physical.
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That’s a very succinct way of stating it, Shannon. And I think we are all going to get a lesson in patience this summer if we will receive it.
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I can’t tell you how happy it made me to see a mask in the title photo – so much turmoil over nothing really. Have a great Thursday!
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It makes me happy to make you happy!
Thanks for reading!
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I too have been wondering what it would be like to be dating at this time of social distancing and mandatory masks. Seems like quite the obstacle to try and work around. Thanks for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
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Heaven knows it was challenging enough back in the day! I can’t imagine it now…
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I know this may sound weird, however, dating during a pandemic might not be so bad. Sure you can’t meet up and go on actual dates because of social distancing and staying home unless going out is essential, however, this is a great time to talk and really get to know someone and allow yourself to be known so that when the world does reopen, you have a knowledge of each other that you may not have otherwise. It’s even a great time to use online dating sites if done the right way. I’m going to write a post on this…
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I’ll be watching for it!
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So good to see you at (in)courage, Michele. This was a beautiful post …in all the chaos and stress that is our current world, isn’t it a blessing to be able to sit with, unmasked, with Jesus and let Him gently shine the light of His truth and love straight into our hearts and minds? Hugs, friend.
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Thanks, Lois, and I do hope we’re all learning to lean into intimacy with God during a time when separation is the rule of the da.
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I hear what you are saying x #pocolo
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I have great concern about how the young generations potential/present relationships are affected by the recent challenges they are having to cope with. I can’t even imagine how it will affect them long term. I hope they get the right support in the right places x x
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Yes, I agree that the demographic hardest hit by the social constraints of this era are the young adults. Along with you, trusting for healing and help for them!
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Interesting thoughts Michele! Dating with masks on, it’s all in the eyes 😉
Bless you,
Jennifer
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Yes, I suppose that’s true!
I miss smiling at people I pass in the grocery store.
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I love that we are getting back to tiny parts of normality although I couldn’t imagine going on a date right now. Not only would you have to pick the perfect outfit but the right colour mask to match! #GlobalBlogging
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Ha! Yes, coordinating our masks and our outfits is definitely going to become a thing!
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Lots of adjustments still to be made in 2020 – I’m glad that for me, dating isn’t one of them! But love those thoughts that we can come with unveiled faces to El Roi ‘the God who sees me’ Blessings to you!
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Oh, that name of God is so fitting to be interject to this conversation. Thank you, Sharon, and I share your joy that dating isn’t one of my present day concerns!
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Possible romance based on personality rather than just looks. Thanks for linking with #pocolo hope to see you back later this week.
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Wouldn’t that be great?
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Such a beautiful perspective! I went into a small shop near my home yesterday and I was so taken aback by the shop owner who immediately declared when I walked through the door, “Oh Wow. You have the smilingest eyes ever. I wish I had smiling eyes while we have to wear masks, but I don’t and so you can’t even tell that I am smiling at you.” But I could tell that she was smiling because I could feel that her energy was good and kind. If only we could all feel the good energy that surrounds us all the time instead of focusing on the negative. Great post, my friend. Thanks for sharing and linking up!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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Oh, that’s such a sweet story!
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I hadn’t even thought of that. It must be strange to meet someone for the first time and not be able to see their mouth. I am sure we will all get used to it all #DreamTeamLinky
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So MANY strange things right now!
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It feels great to have the restrictions lifted a bit now. We’re treading so carefully that we’ve not really seen that many people to see how they are actually interacting with face masks on. What a funny thought to be trying to date when wearing one. I suppose you wouldn’t have to worry too much about make up! Thank you for joining us for the #DreamTeamLInky
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I wonder what quarantine is going to do to all kinds of cultural practices and norms.
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I have finally ordered some masks! I am not looking forward to wearing them but will feel more confident being near strangers. Thanks for linking upw ith #dreamteamlinky
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As inconvenient as they are, they make my neighbors feel safe, and that’s worth a lot.
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #OverTheMoon this week. Each Hostess displays their own features so be sure to visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
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Always an encouragement!
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Masks are for protection not to hide ourselves away, to protect others from our risk not to protect us from theirs. We owe it to humanity to do what we can to preserve life. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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Safety and respect for others, for sure!
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