April 3rd

We lecturers have split personalities. We are normally very quiet and introverted, but in front of a captive audience, a change comes over us, like Dr Jekyll turning into Mr Hyde. And after so many years, my loud and controlling personality is no longer an act, just another facet.

In the last few days, my loud side has come to the fore. I would never have guessed that my computer knowledge would become so useful to Tyndale, or that I would be in touch with my family via social media like a teenager, sharing what we are doing day to day without it feeling like showing off. Do I regret it? Not a bit. Talking to people electronically and putting together online materials is helping to keep boredom at bay, while being stuck indoors.

Other people are also showing different sides of their personality in the current crisis. They do say that such times bring out the worst or the best in people. There are some people refusing to take any notice of the government’s advice. But there are also a lot of people putting in extraordinary amounts of effort, using and combining their skills to tackle the crisis in myriads of different ways.

We all have to do what we can. Maybe, among our gifts from God, we might be finding normally hidden ones that we can take out and dust off. Being stuck indoors means we might not be able to do much, but a phone call, an email, a wave from a distance, or even just accepting help gratefully and gracefully, can go a long way.

Ian Holyer