A Loving Touch

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:11

She spoke reassuringly, “I believe in the power of human touch, and I will be holding your hand during the surgery.” Just as she promised, I could feel my anesthesiologist’s hand firmly holding mine as I awakened from surgery. Even though we had just met, her tenderness reminded me of the power of touch.

Jesus knows we need physical touch. He made us that way. Rocking soothes infants. We hug those who grieve and those who rejoice. We hold hands to comfort or to instill confidence.

In Scripture, we see mothers bringing their children to Jesus for blessings. And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them (Mk. 10:16). When Jesus resurrected Jairus’ daughter, He took the little girl’s hand and said, “… Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mark 5:41).

Those who have been in an intimate relationship with a narcissist know the deprivation of that basic source of comfort. Acknowledge this and bring it to the Lord in prayer. Seek His heart for meeting that need. I discovered the joy of providing Jesus’ touch to others through His Spirit within me. My hug can be God’s hug. My touch can be God’s touch. For in giving, I receive. In offering a hug, I receive a hug. In touching, I am touched.

Father, I am feeling touch deprived. Sensitize me to that same need in others. Show me how to use touch in appropriate moments and in appropriate ways. Allow me the privilege of showing Your love and tenderness to others for Your glory. Amen

*All verses are NKJV.

© Making Sense of My Life