Compassion Insight #3

OK, I’m back. I think this series will end at 4, although#4 isn’t written yet. #3 is about showing compassion and #4 is on feeling compassion. They are not lectures or lessons, just what I have learned.

#3 may sound strange, or obvious, depending on who you are. The insight is that there is comforting power in touch. I can’t explain it, but something about human touch adds force to the spoken word. A hand on the shoulder or a lingering or two-handed handshake can convey something that words cannot.

Once I was visiting with a couple after a stake meeting, friends from long ago. We discussed my health, and their children. When the conversation turned to how my children were dealing with my health issues, I was suddenly overcome with a wave of emotionality. I can’t explain it, I really don’t come to tears easily, but it had been a long day and thoughts that were very close to my heart overpowered me. I had no choice but to make a hasty apology, sit on the couch, and bury my face in my hands. These wise friends said nothing. The woman sat on the end table and just ran her hand across my shoulders. I can’t put into words what was communicated by both she and her husband by this seemingly innocuous gesture, but it calmed my soul.

I think back to 2000, when my brother and his family were in that horrible wreck. I spent most of my time in the Amarillo hospital with my 6-year-old niece. I spoke with her a lot, I helped feed her, and even helped the nurse wash the blood from her hair (a 45 minute process), but did I provide as much comfort as I could have? No, I don’t think so. Might I have lovingly placed a hand on her head or shoulder or held her hand? Look, I’m not fishing, I know, I was there and provided a measure of comfort, I’m just saying that had I known then what I understand now, I think that I would have been a better comforter.

With this backdrop, read verse 36 of 3 Nephi 18.

And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of these sayings, he touched with his hand the Disciples whom he had chosen, one by one, even until he had touched them all, and spake unto them as he touched them.

I understand that this is describing a calling, and probably a setting apart, but I think there is a reason that Mormon pointed out that Jesus touched them while speaking to them.    Maybe it was only to emphasize that the resurrected Savior had a tangible body, but maybe it was also to emphasize the power that touch gives to the spoken word.

I am not a naturally “touchy” type person. Kara isn’t either. But don’t underestimate the comforting and even healing power of touch. The end.