Reach Out and Touch

The pain was unbearable. Maybe even the worst pain I had ever felt.

Years ago, I had to have major surgery. When I awoke in the recovery room, I was hit with pain I had never experienced before and it was excruciating. Barely able to speak I reached out to the nurse in the room and asked if she could give me something for the pain.

Her response:

“I’m so sorry. We’ve already given you all we can, there’s nothing I can do.”

There’s nothing she could do. I sat in that statement and panicked. Quickly I pleaded, “Then please get my husband. Please.”

This champion of a nurse found my husband and sneaked him in from some side door. I found out later that he wasn’t allowed in yet and she broke the “rules” and ushered him in.

Once Mike got in the room, he held my hand.

That’s all I needed to endure the unbearable.

All he did was hold my hand.

Touch is powerful. It worked like magic on that panic-stricken excruciating trying day where pain consumed me, imagine the power it can have in our daily lives?

Recently I had a minor procedure, and when I woke from being under there was a monitor on my finger. There wasn’t anyone around so, I pulled the monitor off my finger causing a machine to beep. A nurse came in.

I said, “Can you get my husband please?”

She said, “Yes, can you put the monitor back on your finger now?”

This gives me a chuckle every time I think about it. Once again, all I wanted was to have my husband hold my hand.  

It’s better than a drug.

Imagine how touch can overhaul a terrible no good rotten day.

Imagine how simple touch can help others feel loved.

Imagine how touch can help us feel more loved.

Touch is one of the most powerful tenses we have. Touch is a gift given to us by God.

And yet, sometimes we neglect to use this gift.

If you are married, how many times are you reaching for your spouse?

How many hugs are happening each day?

How often are you holding hands?

If you have children, how often are your embracing your kids?

How many times do you reach out and touch your children tenderly?

Maybe if we reach out for more human contact, we can not only change our day and make it better, but we can make another’s day exceedingly better.  

One simple action can make our lives better.

And help make those we cherish to feel valued and loved.

Reach out and touch those you love.

For more from Lucille Williams check out her books The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and for your marriage, From Me to We, and The Intimacy You Crave. And for your little one Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today for weekly encouragement.