October 26th: Reach out and touch somebody’s hand!

Then he laid his hands upon her, and immediately she was made straight and praised God.

Luke 13:10-17

Many years ago, in a village, a young woman was given a demeaning nickname because of her hump. She was aggressive, but that was really her response to the name-calling.

Many years after, at the wake of an elderly woman, she shared her story. She told how she had gotten involved in her church community as a young adult and one night something was said. which upset her. She said, “I marched out of the meeting!” It was that woman who ran out, took her by the hand and said, “Come right back!” She said that was many years ago, but it was the simple act of coming after her, taking her by the hand and speaking gently but firmly to her that made her return. A simple act which brought much healing.

She said someone showed care for her. Someone saw not her weaknesses but the potential she had to contribute to the building of God’s kingdom, in her little village. She still lives and serves others right there.