In today’s scripture, the power of Jesus’ touch was that the woman found healing. Although our touch likely won’t have that kind of power, there are ways that we can touch others’ lives as well.
Attention/Acknowledgment.
Sometimes we don’t realize when we are touching others’ lives. Recently while shopping at Walmart, an employee unexpectedly told me “thank you.” When I asked him what he was thanking me for, he responded, “Thank you for the smile.” I hadn’t even realized that I had smiled, but apparently he had felt touched that I had done so. Admittedly often I am hurried, especially while shopping, and so focused on accomplishing the task quickly, that I may fail to notice those around me. And yet taking the time to acknowledge others helps them to feel valued, special, cared about, and to have worth. Conversely, feeling ignored can feel devaluing. We can brighten someone’s day by giving them our attention, acknowledging their presence, giving of our time.
Listening/Communicating.
Everyone has the need to feel listened to and also to communicate, taking turns as to who talks verse listens. We need to share stories about who we are, what we’ve experienced in life, how we feel, and to share wisdom gained from our experiences in life, and wisdom comes with age. Others listening helps us to feel valued and cared about.
Human Touch.
Sometimes we underestimate the value of touch. When we see someone sad or grieving, normally we may try to offer them words of comfort. Although our words may help in some instances, sometimes words may not be the most comforting thing we can do. In an Our Daily Bread devotion, the story is told about a little boy with a big heart. His next-door neighbor was an older gentleman whose wife had recently died. When the youngster saw the elderly man crying, he climbed up onto his lap and simply sat there. Later, his mother asked the boy what he had said to their saddened neighbor. “Nothing,” the child replied. “I just helped him cry.” Sometimes that is the best thing we can do for people who are facing profound sorrow. Often, our attempts to say something wise and helpful are far less valuable than just sitting next to the bereaved ones, holding their hands, and crying with them. The chorus to a song I wrote titled “Just Hold Me Close” has this message as well:
Just Hold Me Close
And don’t ask me why.
I don’t want to talk about it,
I just want to cry.
Just Hold Me Close
And don’t ask me why.
You are the best friend I know.
One of the basic needs of all human beings is the need for nurturing, caring touch. There have been orphanage studies where children failed to thrive. The conclusion was the failure to thrive was due to inadequate physical touch. Touch deprivation also occurs in the elderly. This is an excerpt from an article titled “The Value and Power of Touch” by Linda Penkala C.M.T.:
“As long as we are privileged to be alive and walk the face of this earth, we never outlive or lose the need for touch in our lives. It has been said that we all could benefit from a minimum of six to eight hugs per day. Whether we embrace a friend in need, gently touch a crying child or hold a loved one in distress, this non-verbal power of touch is within us all as caring, giving human beings.”
Since the elderly - just as some infants - experience failure to thrive because of touch deprivation, (between 5-26%), the mere giving of therapeutic massage during this study produced amazing results. They reported a decrease in depression, hopelessness, negative mood states, anxiety, and physical complaints. Although pet therapy--the having and holding of pets--has been effective, it seems massage therapy could be of more value. Therapeutic touch is something we all can do, whether holding hands, putting an arm around a shoulder, ways to show we care.
God can channel through all of us to touch the lives of others. It may be something as simple as a smile, giving our attention and acknowledgment, listening and communicating, and human touch.
