Touching Moments

We had a Diana Ross experience today – we reached out and touched someone’s hand. It’s hard to say which makes people more uncomfortable – extended silence or extended touch. A quick hug, a hand shake is fairly routine, but to continue to remain in contact for longer than a few seconds is foreign territory. We were asked to let the love and power of God flow from our hand into the next. Then we remained in clasped hands, spending a few minutes becoming accustomed to the deliberate touch and intentional sharing of personal space. We stayed on task and took time to think about what our hands do each day, we reflected on scars that tell about our past, and we accepted the offering of personal connection. Rev. Anne acknowledged that not everyone is open to that level of closeness and we need to respect their boundaries. It does seem heartrending to know that some find touch more damaging than the solace that it can offer through healing intentions and gentle hearts.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, We love to be held in your arms, wrapped in your care, knowing the confidence of your ceaseless love. Let our hands carry this confidence in our interactions and exchanges. Let your love be shared through our hands. We ask for the blessings of our hands this week as we carry out our daily work and as we find opportunities to be your hands in our daily encounters. We especially seek comfort for those who need the love that only you can provide when they are unable to accept any other form of relief or assurance. We turn them to your care until a time when the wounds are healed over and no longer painful to the touch. Amen

…The more that I listened
The more I kept wishing
That I knew the right words to say
Can you reach my friend?
Bring his searching to an end
Lord I know you love him
Help him understand
Can you reach my friend?
You’re the only one who can
Help him give his heart to you.
- "Can You Help My Friend"
Songwriters: Billy Sprague and Jim Weber