JanBeek

Tender Touch

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There’s nothing like a tender touch

To chase away the blues.

You need someone who really cares –

Friends and family who choose

To stick by you through thick and thin –

To be there when you’re hurting –

To hold your hand and hug your heart –

To lend a listening ear instead of skirting

Past the issues that weigh you down.

There’s nothing like a tender touch

To lift you up and bring you love

And show you that they care so much.

Love in Action

I used the wonderful photo below by Kristin De Soto last weekend when writing about Being Pretty on the inside… and showing it with loving actions. I love the intergenerational nature of it … and the evidence of hard working DOING. Action… not just talking about it. TOUCH that lifts and supports.

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The Need for Touch

In this month’s In Touch Magazine (Daily Readings for Devoted Living by Charles Stanley), on June 27th, the title was “The Touch That Transforms.” The devotional began with a reference to Matthew 8:1-4, the scripture that tells about Jesus’ touch healing the leper.

Charles Stanley wrote, “The need for touch from a fellow human being has not disappeared in the 2,000 years since Jesus walked the earth.”

And yet, the author continues, “Physical touch is being replaced with ‘likes’ on Facebook. And when we do think of touch, it’s often associated with scandal, impropriety, or immorality.” He asks us, “How did this wonderful word become so maligned?”

Operative Word: Tender

As I suggested in my Tender Touch poem above, it doesn’t have to be that way! The word “touch” does not need to bring shivers of fear or shadows of doubt. The operative word is TENDER! 

As followers of God, people who know and try to live by the Golden Rule, we have the opportunity to “touch” people in a variety of ways. We can use our hands, our talents, our time through service to exhibit compassion and encouragement. Our sincere hugs and our gentle pats on the back are signs that we truly care … and the recipients can feel it!

Keep it Simple

The touch of love doesn’t need to be expensive. Give the gift of caring. Keep it simple!

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As bloggers, we can use our words to touch people’s hearts. Face-to-face is best, but sometimes that’s not possible. So, a card of sympathy, encouragement or inspiration, an e-mail to reach out, a phone call to just say “Hello, I was thinking of you. How are you?” or a text to show you’re thinking of them all are great ways to “touch” the loved ones we can’t reach physically.

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Be a Part of the Solution

Here are some don’ts:

• Don’t let physical touch be replaced with FaceBook “likes.”
• Don’t let the word TOUCH become maligned and only associated with abuse.
• Don’t shy away from reaching out to others in positive ways with the gift of touch.

And here are some do’s:

• Tenderly reach out to those around you.
• Touch others through prayer, knowing that God hears, and your loved ones will feel it!
• Write or call those who are out of physical reach and let them know you care.

There’s nothing like a tender touch

To chase away the blues.

Bee the one who lifts and supports!

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Thanks for caring and for sharing your compassion.

See ya after church with my sermon notes.
Have a Happy Sunday morning!