The Compassion of Human Touch

“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

This story took another form for me. Of course, this story is about the prodigal son. But within this story lies a very important thing, one that I think we often miss. It’s the, “Embrace and Kiss.”

One morning, I woke up thinking about this. I walked into my parents kitchen last night, my brother’s wife was there, my sister in law. We greeted each other and she asked me, “What’s wrong?” I told her I had a really, really, really bad day. She walked up to me and hugged me. Then she said, “Whatever is going on, God is with you, He will take care of it. Rest in that tonight.” Immediately, I began to feel better. It was that compassion and kiss on my cheeks she gave me. Then reminding me God has you.

There are studies conducted with horrible results on babies that if not hugged and loved they stop thriving and even cause death. You can read this for yourself in Psychology Today or other medical journals.

Justin was born prematurely. He spent 6 weeks in the hospital. Because he was adopted and I had to wait for all the legal paper work, he was left alone for 21 days before I could see him. I was monitoring the whole time. His weight had gone down, and he was already a preemie. I called the hospital and the nurse at ICU told me, “Yes, he is not thriving. We put him next to the window so he can have sunshine.” I was trying hard to stay calm, and not react. I told her, “Please you know studies conducted on babies who are not held and the results right? Please bring someone in to hold him. Please don’t let my baby die!" I was hysterical on the phone. There are unforgettable moments in life. Good and bad. This is one of them. I couldn’t breath on the phone. Poor nurse. "Please, breath, please calm down." Don’t you hate it when people tell you to calm down and you know you just can’t?

Thank God, they allowed a wonderful friend of mine to go in and hold him just for a few days. Justin immediately, regained the weight he had lost. But, then, they didn’t let her go back, hospital rules. I called again, and Justin still wasn’t the weight he needed to be before he could leave the hospital. The paperwork was still not finished, and I wasn’t allowed. The nurse promised me she and the rest of the nurses would take turns holding my baby. I called them every single day. They would give me the information, and Justin was just still same weight. I was about to literally lose my mind. I knew those studies a little too well, and I was dying myself.

I was at work, and after speaking to the adoption agency, I walked into the paper supply room and had a complete melt down. I was crying my eyes out. Then, God, in His mercy spoke to me. “Why are you so upset? Justin is in my arms. My powerful, miracle working hands. He is MY child, MY son, before he is your son. I’m keeping him safe. He’s in my arms. Wipe your tears off. Get up, go home, and stop worrying about him. I got him, and I will always be his father. I will never let go of the son I gave you. He is mine first.”

I did as God told me to do, drove around a bit so my eyes wouldn’t be so red and went to my parents' house for dinner. I hadn’t told anything to my family about Justin’s health condition. As I walked in the kitchen, my mom came running to me. “Sina," (this is my family nickname for me) I was at work praying for that little baby God told me to tell you, “That little baby boy is your son. He has Him in His arms don’t worry about anything. God is His father, and God is going to bring him to you healed. Wait for God to take care of everything.” Confirmation of what God had already told me hours before.

Finally, paper work was done. I could go and hold my son.

Immediately, nurses had me apply skin to skin therapy. Within two days, Justin gained all his weight. They had a heart monitor on him because he was so little. The minute his body touched mine the heart monitor went off. Nurses, doctors, come running in. All smiling, clapping, rejoicing, and filled with excitement. “Yay, this is what we have been waiting to see for weeks now!”

They left me alone in the room with Justin. I began to pray over him, kissing that adorable face of his, holding his tiny hand. He could only wrap the top of my finger nail because his hands were not big enough to take my little finger. I told him he needed to grow now. I promised I would never leave him alone again. It was time to go home. One week later, he came home.

I understand that father’s joy, running to his son. But that’s not my point today in this story. It’s all about how the son felt at the touch of the compassion and kiss his dad gave him. In that embrace the hearts of both were touched. It’s the heart of compassion which brings about true love. There are different types of love as we know. The best kind of love is the love of compassion because it goes throughout the board. It’s the one we all need to ask for, and it’s the one we all need to show. This kind of love is always there no matter what and it is shown to everyone no matter what. This is real love. The other kinds of love are fickle and don’t last long because they are based on feelings. They don’t last because feelings change.

To bring my point home, I’ll share this personal story of the love of compassion. Twice I found myself in a very dark place. Once in a hospital elevator after my grandmother passed away. I was crying leaving the hospital, in the elevator alone, standing in the back. Elevator doors opened and a guy came in. He said hello to me, I answered hello back. We both got out in the lobby. He came back and said, “Honestly, I’m not trying to pick you up but I want to give you a hug. Whatever has happened it’s going to be ok. Can I hug you?” Before I could answer he came and hugged me, used his finger to wipe the tears running down my face, and left! I could feel his heart of compassion for a total stranger. The second time, I was at hospital (I don’t know what it is about hospital but that’s where I seem to get hugs).

A doctor called me as I was leaving, “Hey, come here please.” I went back and I said, “Yes?” He said, “I don’t care I’m giving you a hug!” As I cried all over his shoulders... so embarrassing, People. He told me, “I know you're strong and I know you are going to be just fine. You know where I am. Call me if you need anything. You promise me?” Thank God, I didn’t have to call him.

REFLECTION: "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed," (Psalm 34:18). Jesus went throughout touching people. Everywhere He went He touched the broken, the sick, the blind, the lame, and the deaf. He allowed the woman with the issue of blood to touch Him. He didn’t condemn her. He praised her and healed her. The touch of compassion is powerful and strong, to heal, set free, restore, and spur others on. It is a powerful tool placed in our hands that brings about powerful breakthroughs and victories. Jesus spoke truth. Words of compassion, and love along with the rebuke, but He never withheld the compassion and love.

We are His people, and we have the same mandate. We are to love and show our compassion. Look around you. There’s a world filled with broken people. Can you run up to someone and greet them with an embrace and a kiss? Let God lead you to those who are dying and broken. Please allow God to use you to breathe life back into their dying places. It’s all about the love of compassion. Let’s give it liberally and often to those who are around us.

The human touch is so important it is taught to medical doctors.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You, O God, are the God of Compassion, and Your compassion never fails. Your mercies are new every morning, and great is Your faithfulness to Your children. Lord, let me be Your hands extended. Thank You for always being here for me and reaching me when I have been in places of brokenness and hurt. Teach me and use me to reach out to others, and to speak Your words to the hurting and the broken. Let me always be Your hands extended that I may help others. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #compassion #touch #love #reachingout