Today’s scripture: Luke 18:15-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Lynnette Pullen):
The art of touching can be very healing. In my job, I often touch others to help the healing and recovery process. Sometimes it is to add warmth to cold joints, sometimes it is to support weak limbs, but often it is to heal more emotional wounds. The odd thing is that due to my own emotional wounds, it is hard for me to receive a healing touch. When others reach out to comfort me I immediately recoil. Now, I know that is not socially acceptable, so I have learned to tolerate all the hugs and kisses that I get from others. Honestly, I am thankful for it. But, it doesn’t have the same healing effect on me that it does for other people.
When I was a child, touch was not a pleasant thing. It was often used to punish and harm, and rarely to comfort or console. As I reflect on my life and upbringing, it is clear why hugs and kisses are so distasteful to me. As a mom, I was determined to undo that terrible dysfunction. From the minute (and I do mean the minute) my kids were born, I hugged and kissed them. I smothered them with affection. I wanted them to feel safe and secure with me. As a result, they both are affectionate with me and others. I am very thankful for that.
As I read today’s scripture, I thought of myself, not my children. Oddly enough, I thought to myself “Oh, how I need Jesus to touch me and heal me. Make me child-like again.” Sometimes, I feel like I have missed a large part of my childhood. I had to grow up too fast and take on too much responsibility. I became guarded and distrustful of people before I was even fifteen years old. As a result, I don’t know how it feels to completely trust a parent. I don’t know how it feels to long to run to loving arms when you’ve been hurt or are sad. Then I look at my kids, I see the trust and love they have for me. They know how much I love them. They know without a doubt that I would willingly die for them. Yet isn’t that what God did for me? Doesn’t God love me that much and more?
Thought for the day: I know that there are thousands of people just like me; people who have grown up in abusive homes and have experienced deep pain through touch. Many of us who have endured such circumstances have scars in places that cannot be seen by the naked eye. My prayer is that as we come to You, that You touch us in our painful places and heal us. Make us child-like again. Restore our trust, innocence, and joy. Help us to open up and trust You, Lord. As we run to You like little children, embrace us and remind us that we are safe and You will protect us. Lord there are many of us, but I know Your arms are strong enough to hold us all. In Your name I pray, Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.