May 5th, 2020: Human Touch

 Human Touch Awards 2019 nominations: Tips for writing | CCO Health

I have to be honest that there are a few people in my life that I wish I could give each of them a huge hug. I miss that. I have realized more and more that I am not created for this 6ft apart behaviour. We can zoom as much as we like and yet it will never replace the true human touch.

Have we ever considered that this Covid-19 has taken away one of the most precious gifts in human life is being touched by their loved ones while dying? A gentle touch of loved ones and a warm hug from someone who loves you. Many elderly folks today are going through that time of their life alone.

It is scientifically proven that there is a direct correlation between human touch and brain development and therefore social development in children. Their emotional impairment can be an outcome of human touch deprivation. Human touch covers many needs in our human development to live life more fully and effectively.

It would be unfair to blame Covid-19 for becoming a barrier in human touch alone. Many cultures and many human traditions have also become stumbling blocks in understanding human touch comprehensively. Western cultures, for example, tend to have the connotation of sexual behavior when it comes to human touch.

In the Bible, there are many accounts of either people touching Jesus or Jesus touching people. Suddenly healing took place. As we think about our life and ponder about what we have been going through, it can be true that there is a place in our heart that yearns for the touch of God. The touch that brings about restoration and wholeness.

Matthew 20: 34
"Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him."

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