TOUCH

PRACTICE: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand.” Just do it.

Touch is such a personal thing and considered a “no-no” today. Yet we know that nothing compares to a hug when you are hurting and the spontaneity of a child’s embrace when they wrap their scrawny arms around you. Likewise, nothing is as uncomfortable as an unsolicited, unwanted touch. Touch can leave one feeling loved, warm, and fuzzy or violated, dirty or somewhere in between. In 1969, Diana Ross recorded the song, “Reach out and touch.” It is a classic and has been recorded and sang by many artists since. The sentiment and expression of the lyrics are increasingly hard to accomplish.

The lyrics of the song written by Valerie and Ashford Simpson suggest that touch has the potential to make this world a better place. The lyrics provided ways to touch – taking time to encourage another, giving of oneself, and being kind to others.

I can’t tolerate labels sown in the neck of clothing. Proof is the sweaters I own with a tiny hole at the neckline where I yanked a label out or tried to cut it out without taking it off. Labels are scratchy, irritating, and unwanted. This is the same area of my body where a friend can gently touch and massage and ease my stress and anxiety.

Our society, while in grave need of encouragement, intimacy, and kindness, is no friend of touch. One of the hard things that I have taught myself is not to touch people when talking to them, to not hug in this pandemic even when hurt is present or to extend my right hand when meeting someone for the first time. Touching others – truly touching – is intimate - another act that society frowns upon. So, I now reserve physical touch for relationships forged by time, joy, sorrow, and disappointment, where it can be freely given and received. I touch others through other avenues.

As I penned these words, my husband called urgently to me to look out my favorite window. I was touched by his desire for me to witness the majesty of a magnificent sunrise and captured it with my camera phone. I touched others by sharing the photo via text and social media. I wonder if the presence of social media would have changed the clarion call of the song had it been around when written.

Seek to find ways to give and receive the gift of gentle and healing touches to “make this world a better place if you can.”

Matt. 9:21

PONDER THIS THOUGHT— Healing or hurting touches come from the same places - hand, heart, and presence.