Thought for the Day - Thursday 30 April

Thought for the Day – Thursday 30^th April

When I am speaking with people during my pastoral phone calls it seems to me that while folk are in the main coping with everything else, the loneliness, the isolation, not being able to get out and about, not being able to go their own shopping and so on, that what most folk are missing most is human touch. I suppose we often do take for granted that handshake, hug, cradling of a child, kiss or just gentle touch of the arm or shoulder but now we can no longer share in these gestures of love and comfort and support we somehow seem bereft.

I know I am certainly missing my family and the cuddles, kisses and hugs we share together making me feel like a part of me is somehow missing and somehow virtual hugs and kisses and cuddles don’t quite match a genuine physical one! I am sure you are missing your families too!

Likewise, when talking with grieving families a hug down the phone will never equate to the hug you can give to just say I am here for you, I know what you are going through and you will come through this time. 

Touch can just say so much in so many situations to so many people.

However, while we may not be able to physically ‘touch’ at present I believe we can still ‘touch’ folk not just through our phone calls but also through our prayers helping them to feel the touch of Christ in their lives.

Thinking about this I immediately thought of this hymn we call ‘A Touching Place’ (CH4 724) and I simply offer it today for you to reflect on as you think about how you might ‘touch’ the lives of others and show them Christ is there for them as their ‘Touching Place’ at this time.   

Christ’s is the world in which we move;
Christ’s are the folk we’re summoned to love;
Christ’s is the voice which calls us to care,
and Christ is the One who meets us here.

Chorus:

To the lost Christ shows his face,
to the unloved He gives His embrace;
to those who cry in pain or disgrace,
Christ, makes, with His friends, a touching place.

Feel for the people we most avoid -
strange or bereaved or never employed.
Feel for the women and feel for the men

who fear that their living is all in vain.

Feel for the parents who’ve lost their child,

feel for the woman whom men have defiled,
feel for the baby for whom there’s no breast,
and feel for the weary who find no rest.

Feel for the lives by life confused,
riddled with doubt, in loving abused;
feel for the lonely heart, conscious of sin,
which longs to be pure but fears to begin.                                        © John L. Bell and Graham Maule

 Prayer

Loving Lord,

You call us to be your people in the world showing your love, compassion, mercy, justice and peace. As we strive to share your ‘touch’ at this time enable us to be, with you, a ‘touching place’ for others that they might know your loving touch through us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.