“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” – Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Last week, I had the privilege of attending a concert presented by Mark Lohr, a pastor in Niobrara County, at his ranch northeast of Lusk. Lohr hosted the Easter family – Jeff, Sheri and Morgan Easter, along with Morgan’s husband, Landan Smith, and Jeff’s second cousin, Jared Easter – who played a collection of gospel music in Lohr’s pasture.

The experience was incredible on several levels. One of the most profound being that I am a huge fan of the Easter family and have always had a deep appreciation for their talent and their music. I can remember watching and listening to the Easters with my grandmother and grandfather when the Easters sang and played with Bill and Gloria Gaither during several of their shows. Listening to the music took me back to my childhood.

Another aspect of the concert I greatly enjoyed was the gathering of local people. Those attending the concert came from around Niobrara County, Lusk and northwestern Nebraska. I met several people while I was there who I had never met prior and am now well acquainted. This is what community is all about in my eyes, the gathering of people who can come together and show they care for one another.

One can read and hear on the news about many people are losing their sense of communication, or ability to interact with others, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The social isolation, mask wearing and constant worry of contracting a virus drove many people to shut down and absolutely refuse any communication with others. The bottom line is humans are social creatures; humans need cooperation and collaboration with other humans to thrive. 

Something as simple as going to the park, going to a restaurant, going to church, attending a family reunion, and much more were restricted by the virus. Without freedom, what is the point. As Americans, we are “endowed by (our) creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” When people were locked down and isolated due to COVID, they began to lose touch with what really matters, community, “lov(ing) your neighbor as yourself.”

Step and speak up. Taking the time to check in on one’s family and neighbors can have a profound effect, not only on the person’s physical well-being, but also their mental well-being. It is not hard or inconvenient to stop by the neighbor’s house and see how they are doing. Offer to help them out with a project, have a neighborhood barbeque, bring back community. 

I have spent the past nearly 30 years of my life living between central Nebraska and eastern Wyoming. It is a sparsely populated area, with more cows than humans, but I am incredibly thankful for the communities where I have lived and do live. It is clearly prevalent the people in those places care for one another and look out for one another. 

When I interviewed Mark Lohr for the story I was writing about the event, he made it very clear to me he had produced the concert not for fame, not for himself, but for his neighbors, the people of the community. Lohr was adamant he had not done this for recognition or personal glory, but for something for the locals to enjoy.

I applaud Mark Lohr for putting the Easter family’s concert together and sharing the concert with the people of the area, free of charge. 

The whole event provided an incredible avenue for people to come together, enjoy some great food and treats and socialize with their neighbors. Especially in this present day, the world needs more happenings like this, where others can come together and share in being a community.