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Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday, April 6,
2022
A hanging pansy/allysum arrangement at Village Farm Market near Ephrata, PA.
A sure sign of spring!
"The
Blessing Of Touch"
Message
summary: Today there are people all around you who
need the compassionate touch of another caring person. What a blessing that Jesus, moved with
compassion, stretched out His hand and touched the leper”
“Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him” (Mark 4:41).
One of the
many detrimental aspects of these last two years for many
has been the impact of "social distancing". For those
living with other family members this has not been as hard
but for those in nursing homes or other medical settings
it has been emotionally brutal leaving a devastating
health impact as well in our view. (and not ours only *)
Several
weeks ago we attended a visitation for a friend who had
passed away. He was well-known in our community and many
were in line to comfort his widow and pay their respects.
We noticed how meaningful and normal this human
interaction was that prior to the covid we had probably
taken for granted.
There are
many people, young and old, rich and poor, who live in
loneliness and crave the human touch. Some of you reading
this message know from personal experience just what I’m
talking about. Let me illustrate this by sharing the
following true story:
In the Bible a leper knew not only the physical pain of a dreaded disease but loneliness and isolation as well. In the Bible times leprosy was a disease that had severe social consequences. Throughout the Bible we read about this and can easily conclude that lepers would have extreme reticence in personally approaching or being approached by anyone. They were accustomed to being shunned; an outcast from their peers and even their families.
“A leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 4:40). This leper stepped out in boldness. Or perhaps it was desperation that led him to take the risk of being rejected or reproved publicly as he approached Jesus.
A widow
lived alone. She made dinner every night for one and had
conversation with none. Most of her closest friends had
died, people rarely stopped by, and her phone never
rang. She experienced a loneliness that grew day by day.
She longed to fellowship with her brothers and sisters,
to hear their conversation, and to feel their touch. Her
fragile health forced her to be quarantined in her
loneliness for a number of weeks.
One Sunday morning she mustered all the strength she could to dress herself and get ready for church. Her anticipation grew as she thought about how good it would be to meet with others again. She pictured herself receiving a handshake from the pastor; maybe a hug from her sisters in Christ. She needed to feel the warmth of someone’s flesh besides her own.
She attended the service but returned to her home even more desperate and lonely. You see, the people didn’t even notice her as they filed past her to get to their own circle of friends. No word of greeting, not one handshake was extended to this lonely widow. No warm conversation took place such as “We’ve missed you so much. We’ve been praying for you! How are you feeling?”
One Sunday morning she mustered all the strength she could to dress herself and get ready for church. Her anticipation grew as she thought about how good it would be to meet with others again. She pictured herself receiving a handshake from the pastor; maybe a hug from her sisters in Christ. She needed to feel the warmth of someone’s flesh besides her own.
She attended the service but returned to her home even more desperate and lonely. You see, the people didn’t even notice her as they filed past her to get to their own circle of friends. No word of greeting, not one handshake was extended to this lonely widow. No warm conversation took place such as “We’ve missed you so much. We’ve been praying for you! How are you feeling?”
In the Bible a leper knew not only the physical pain of a dreaded disease but loneliness and isolation as well. In the Bible times leprosy was a disease that had severe social consequences. Throughout the Bible we read about this and can easily conclude that lepers would have extreme reticence in personally approaching or being approached by anyone. They were accustomed to being shunned; an outcast from their peers and even their families.
“A leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (Mark 4:40). This leper stepped out in boldness. Or perhaps it was desperation that led him to take the risk of being rejected or reproved publicly as he approached Jesus.
But our Lord
did not turn him away nor did He instruct the disciples to
remove the outcast. Instead Mark describes it this way, “Moved
with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched
him.” What Christ did in stretching out His hand and
touching the leper was very significant. This man was so
unaccustomed to the human touch that this loving act by
the Lord must have been extremely meaningful, even if no
physical healing had accompanied His touch (though
certainly it did).
Try to imagine what it would be like to live devoid of the touch of other people, such as leprous people are consigned to. I am so blessed with a happy marriage (46 years this May) and so many other sources of compassionate human touch that I enjoy daily. In our home we regularly enjoy a family hug, where we essentially gather in a huddle and all hug at once. I know many of you have similar blessings which can easily be taken for granted.
Today there are people all around you who need the compassionate touch of another caring person. For many it’s a component to wholeness. They have a longing for someone to reach out and touch them, to pray for them and believe with them for their need. Perhaps you’re not within reach of the person God puts on your heart but a phone call, text or email may very well lift their spirit. We have opportunity to represent the body of Christ as we reach out to others physically and spiritually sharing our love and support!
Try to imagine what it would be like to live devoid of the touch of other people, such as leprous people are consigned to. I am so blessed with a happy marriage (46 years this May) and so many other sources of compassionate human touch that I enjoy daily. In our home we regularly enjoy a family hug, where we essentially gather in a huddle and all hug at once. I know many of you have similar blessings which can easily be taken for granted.
Today there are people all around you who need the compassionate touch of another caring person. For many it’s a component to wholeness. They have a longing for someone to reach out and touch them, to pray for them and believe with them for their need. Perhaps you’re not within reach of the person God puts on your heart but a phone call, text or email may very well lift their spirit. We have opportunity to represent the body of Christ as we reach out to others physically and spiritually sharing our love and support!
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Loving
Father, would You draw to our attention
people who go unnoticed or those like
the lepers who are rejected by the
“norms” of society. Put their face on
our conscience so that we will take the
time or make the necessary sacrifice to
assure them that they are cared for.
Show us how we can help shoulder their
burdens. Prompt us to extend the loving
touch that Jesus extended when He
stretched out His hand and touched the
leper mentioned in Mark’s Gospel. And
remind us to faithfully pray for them
which is an evidence of our genuine
care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.Brooksyne's
Note: The true story we shared
today about the lonely widow was in a
church magazine we received weekly in
the churches when Stephen was pastor. I
must have read that about a year or two
after he was ordained in 1979 and tucked
that sad story away in my memory. It has
greatly influenced me in the way I
sought to greet people who entered our
church doors every Sunday. I was always
on the look-out for someone who might
have been overlooked due to their
quietness or sitting way in the back or
for other reasons they might not have
been greeted warmly by others. Now I
apply it to our chaplain ministry. It's
a story we all do well to keep in mind
before we sit down in our own pew and
forget that others might be there for
more reasons than just listening to the
sermon. They may have a deep longing
just to be in fellowship with others in
the body of Christ, just to know that
their presence is felt and their absence
is noticed as well.
* The hidden Covid-19 health crisis: Elderly people are dying from isolation
The
lockdowns and visitor restrictions
meant to protect nursing home
residents from the coronavirus can
also threaten their lives.
Here
is a portion:
His
death certificate listed the cause of
death as "the progression of
Alzheimer’s disease and social
isolation/failure to thrive related to
COVID-19 restrictions.”
Social isolation was listed as a contributing cause of death for at least nine other Minnesotans — almost all long-term care residents — from June to September, according to state death records; no deaths in the previous two years cited social isolation as a cause.
One of the nurses who treated Peske later described his deterioration as a burning candle with no oxygen left to draw from the air. It was as if a light had gone out, Roberg said: “He couldn’t survive from being isolated.”
Social isolation was listed as a contributing cause of death for at least nine other Minnesotans — almost all long-term care residents — from June to September, according to state death records; no deaths in the previous two years cited social isolation as a cause.
One of the nurses who treated Peske later described his deterioration as a burning candle with no oxygen left to draw from the air. It was as if a light had gone out, Roberg said: “He couldn’t survive from being isolated.”
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"He
Touched Me" Video
Gaither
Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature
Sound
"People
Need The Lord" Video Steve
Green
"Is
He Worthy" Video Sung
by believers in Indonesia in their
native tongue, outstanding scenery!
Yesterday our long-time friend Laifong
sent us this song along with an update
on her ministry with Wycliffe. Laifong
is from Malaysia and her husband Nigel
were part of the church we served in New
England in the 90's.
"Is He Worthy?/Hallelujah, What A Savior" Video Calvary Church Choir (This was the first time Brooksyne and the choir sang this song in our church.)
Finally
today:
I, Brooksyne, have been wanting to take Sadie on my new Ebike so Stephen attached a pet carrier of sorts (actually a crate) so I can take her with me. She's not terribly sold on the idea of being a passenger just yet. I'm sure she prefers that I take her for a walk on a leash like usual, but she is getting accustomed to it as we have taken her for short rides on our road and on the trail across from us. I took this photo yesterday as Stephen pulled into the driveway. As you can see she is looking at me as though to say, "OK, you can get me out of here now!"
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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