The Importance of Touch

 

I think so many take for granted how important touch is to people. Covid has certainly destroyed touch with all the rules and now habit of social distancing. Masks keep people from seeing expressions. You can no longer share smiles. I'm over the whole mask thing and only wear one where I am absolutely required to do so, such as a doctor's office or hospital. Lack of touch is the worst part of dealing with covid on a daily national level. I was recently hospitalized with covid and I can say from experience that I longed for hugs and touches from my husband and the rest of my family. I even cried some days and expressed to the nurses how much I just wanted to see and hold my husband's hand. Once my husband insisted on them moving me to a room with a window where he and my kids and grandkids could see me and we could talk on the phone, it helped my spirits so much. It still wasn't touch but it made me fight to get better. The nursing homes did a disservice to the elderly when they refused to let their families into see them and touch them. The employees could come and go yet family couldn't. By the way, it was medical staff that brought covid to the nursing home patients! --Every single time! If they were or are worried about covid spreading, they would pay nurses and staff hazard pay and lock them in the facility until danger has passed. Because of not being allowed to see their families, many of the elderly fell into deep depressions and quite frankly, gave up. This harmed their physical well being as well. 

Touch helps both the physical and mental state of anyone or even any animal. A calming and soothing voice also helps. It is seen in the NICU when nurses are caring for newborn babies. It is seen at the vet as they talk to the animals and pet them gently or hold them. These days doctors have discovered that touch is so important that when a new mom first delivers, they immediately place the newborn on the mom's chest for skin to skin contact. Yet, hospitals and nursing homes are keeping people from this very important asset!

IT STINKS! And I might even go so far as to say it's wrong. My husband, who had just gotten over covid himself, (so wasn't in danger) wasn't allowed in my room to help me make decisions about my health choices yet the hospital chaplain got to be in there. Bob was furious. He hadn't set eyes on me since leaving me at the ER 3 days earlier and was only being allowed to see me on a zoom call. I looked bad and could barely speak. There is just something wrong with that scenario!! 

My point is that touch is IMPORTANT! Hug and touch your loved ones daily! Never miss an opportunity because it's more therapeutic than most people realize. Scientists have proven that petting an animal brings joy and happiness to those who partake. How much more important is touch between people?! 

Life as a Mule

 

Hello there! This is my first time blogging since my hospitalization from Covid and nearly dying during. I hope it will make sense since I still have a bit of trouble gathering my thoughts and articulating them. My short term memory has gotten much better but is not 100%. 

I chose the title of this post because I am apparently stubborn as a mule when it comes to doing what the Lord wants. This is not the first time He has brought me to the brink of death to get my attention and move me in the right direction.

 I have been quite backslidden the past 2 years or so, especially in attitude which then effected my works. I admit that I have not witnessed as I should and allowed myself to become jaded and cynical when it comes to dealing with flawed people. I felt I wasn't having an impact as a pastor's wife no matter how hard I tried during the last 6 years of our ministry. The last 2 years my effort became progressively less as I allowed myself to become discouraged at seeing what I felt was no influence or impact in others. Yes, I know that God only asks for faithfulness not success. I also know that you cannot make people do the right things or care or make right choices in their lives but you hope that as you try hard to live Christ-like before them and to teach them God's Word that something will impact. I know that this is something that most people in ministry struggle with and I am watching it play out as a layperson and not the one in charge currently. Even large churches are struggling to see pews full, get volunteers to commit to anything or help in any way and seeing the faithful few become battered and worn out. It has been somewhat comforting to know that it wasn't just us and that most churches are struggling. I suppose it's a sign of the times. It's not that the world cares nothing about God and His Word, but it seems many Christians do not care either. It's a "me first world" and "my wants world" and that has changed the church world which in turn has allowed our country as a whole to turn their backs on God. 

OK back to my title. I didn't even realize I was being a mule and so backslidden in my work for the Lord. I only knew I was exhausted and feeling like it was all fruitless. When you're heart turns negative and cynical you begin backing up and no longer being prompted by the Holy Spirit or you start ignoring the Holy Spirit. I know now that's what I was doing. When God has you teetering between life and death and you are coming to grips with the possibility of leaving this world and your loved ones, it gets real, quickly! I had peace once I decided I was OK with dying or living which ever God chose. When He decided to miraculously heal starting the next day, I knew once again that God had a plan and purpose for my life. As I said, He has brought me to this point before and I have struggled for many years wondering if I was doing His purpose and plan. Going forward I no longer wonder. I am positive that I am to share my healing story and tell others about the saving grace of God through His son, Jesus. I am also going to try to stop being a mule. At least about listening to the Holy Spirit. Being stubborn has it's place. It also means I will not back up from standing on God's Word or telling others what it says. It also gave me determination in that hospital bed to set goals and fight to go home to my family. I did whatever the doctors told me I should to gain strength; eat, rest, sleep on my stomach to help my lungs. Doctors and even nurses told me that my goals weren't attainable. (It was to go home by that weekend) I even resided myself to what they were explaining to me and that it would not be until the next week. However, I DID go home on that Saturday! The doctor admitted it was miraculous and said I was the first from their hospital to be so close to death and then recover and was amazed at how quickly. I told her it was God healing. It was all Him. 

Sometimes we wonder why God uses such drastic measures to reach some of us. I believe He does whatever He has to do. I also believe that sometimes it has less to do with us and more to do with those around us. It helped my husband and kids pray like they never had before and it taught them and my grandkids to trust God. And I will continue to use my experience to help to strengthen their minds and hearts toward trusting God no matter what God chooses. There is so much peace in this and ultimately we get no choice anyway. Why fight God? Obey Him, and have peace in trusting Him. 

Hopefully this made sense. It took quite awhile to write as I tried to focus my thoughts.