The Mercy of Touch

Hi there

Did you know that research indicated that people who are touched in a meaningful way have a strong possibility of a longer life expectancy than those who don’t?

I was very fortunate to grow up in a family where there was (still is) always lots of hugs and kisses and the words “I love you” was said a lot.  When we would have a family get together my Dad would always jokingly say “Ah weer lekker tyd vir vry vandag”.  We always laughed at him but deep inside we knew how much it meant to him. He never had that growing up.

We all want some kind of touch in our lives.  Whether it is a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the back, an arm around a friends shoulder or even a kind word that touches someone’s heart.  We all need it.

When Jesus touched the man with leprosy it changed his life and his heart.  Jesus didn’t care about the fact that the man was seen as “unclean” and that it was against the law in those days to touch an “unclean” person or that He would be seen as “unclean” Himself.  He could have just healed the man by saying the words, but instead He touched  him. He knew that it was what the man needed.

 How can we reach out to people around us?  How can we touch them and change their lives?

 I would like to share the verse below with you as it has new meaning to me since I read it last night.  I pray this verse on everyone who reads this e-mail.  May you all be blessed and touched by it.

Ephesians 3:14-20
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the believers, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Lovies
Yollie